mess-n; 5 Senses

Sense Number 1: A state of confusion or disorder.

Commentary: MESS[+disorder]

Examples:
She cleared up the mess in the living room.
The house was a mess.
This situation is a total mess.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: A difficult situation.

Commentary: MESS[+event]

Examples:
You've really made a mess of our marriage.
He got into a terrible mess in his work.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: A meal eaten in a mess hall by service personnel.

Commentary: MESS[+food]

Examples:
We had mess and then discussed the battle plan.
Soldiers eat mess three times a day.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 4: A military dining room.

Commentary: MESS[+structure]

Examples:
We filed into the mess for chow.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 5: An arrangement of some components together.

Commentary: MESS[+collection]
NOTE: often followed by 'of'

Examples:
I ate a mess of porridge for breakfast.
We mailed a mess of letters.
A mess of journalists waited outside.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3, 6