Mean is not a meaning — it is a shell opened to show the kernel inside

Where the picture shows up in mean

1. 1

   the kernel inside a word

   What does this word mean?

   wʌt dʌz ðɪs wɜːrd miːn

   Any idea what this word means?

   A finger pins a word on the page and peers at the kernel sitting under it.

2. 2

   the kernel inside your own act

   I did not mean to wake you.

   aɪ dɪd nɑːt miːn tuː weɪk juː

   Sorry, I was not trying to wake you.

   The hand closing the door held no kernel called waking anyone.

   Mean to asks whether that intention was ever packed inside the act.

3. 3

   a sentence packed solid

   I mean it, take the day off.

   aɪ miːn ɪt teɪk ðə deɪ ɔːf

   Seriously, go home for the day.

   The other person looks back, unsure, so you crack the sentence open and show it is full.

4. 4

   the next thing inside this shell

   Rain means we will start late.

   reɪn miːnz wiː wɪl stɑːrt leɪt

   With this rain we will be starting late.

   Open the shell called rain and a late start rolls out of it.

   One fact can carry the next fact inside it, and mean opens that too.

5. 5

   a kernel that is heavy to lift

   This job means a lot to me.

   ðɪs dʒɑːb miːnz ə lɑːt tuː miː

   This job matters a great deal to me.

   An ordinary-looking job is opened and the kernel inside weighs down the hand.