Idiom origins: ways and means

[ChelseaFrank]

Dear all, would anyone know the origins of the idiom "ways and means"? I am sure it is very archaic, but it is a research for a coursework and I need to document all my conclusions. Thanks in advance!!!

[AmicusCuriosa]

Idiom? Definition of idiom: "an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements." The meaning of "ways and means" can be ascertained from its components. I think it's just a compound and not an idiom.

Google «define "ways and means"» & google «idiom "ways and means"».

By the way, shame on you. You're asking other people to do your research for you. If you were in my class, that would be an automatic fail.

I hope this puts you on the right track.