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middle

middle

1.0
The part of something that is equally far from its start and end
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪdəl/
translation icon : medio
  • The reader should be thrown into the middle of the situation, where the tension is high.
  • middle of the night
  • middle of the road
  • somewhere in the middle

The answer lies in the middle on most things.

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Examples

  • Sorry, we're in the middle of rehearsal.

  • Ma'am, she was in the middle of the street.

  • And now we are in the middle of the crisis.

  • Just get yourself to the middle and see what shows up.

  • You can see the V in the middle just here.

  • The answer lies in the middle on most things.

  • We're 2,000 feet up in the middle of the desert.

  • Henry sat at the big table in the middle of the room and drew.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • In essence, you are standing in the middle of an incredibly powerful genetics factory.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We stopped for lunch at a picnic table located in the middle of the park.

Synonyms

heart
vsmiddle
2.7

The central part of something, for example an idea or a place

refers to physical or temporal central location rather than importance
center
vsmiddle
  • US
679 1.0

The middle point of something that is equally far from all sides

is focused on being central in time, space, or process
midst
vsmiddle
278 3.7

The middle of a group or place surrounded by others

is the neutral central position, not necessarily being surrounded
eye
vsmiddle
211 7.0

The calm center of an area surrounded by strong wind or activity

is the simple central part without implying surrounding disturbance
midsection
vsmiddle
19 4.1

The middle part of the body between the chest and the waist

is the general central part, not specifically a body region
midpoint
vsmiddle
  • Specialized
10 3.5

A point exactly halfway between the two ends of a line or the sides of a shape

is the general central part rather than an exact halfway point
midline
vsmiddle
  • Specialized
7 5.3

A line you imagine that divides the body into left and right halves

is a central position or point rather than a dividing plane
dead center
vsmiddle
  • US
3 3.8

The exact middle point of something

is a broader central area rather than a pinpoint location
midstory
vsmiddle
  • US
6.7

The middle part of a story or process between the beginning and end

is any central part in time, space, or process, not only narratives
midspan
vsmiddle
  • Specialized
6.6

The middle part of a bridge or beam between its supports

is a general central location, not limited to structural spans
midbody
vsmiddle
  • Specialized
7.4

The middle part of an animal's body, like a fish or snake

is a general central point not restricted to anatomy

Antonyms

end
1.0

The final part of something, like an event or story

1.0

The first part of something when it starts

Idioms

Having extra fat around the waist

1 7.8

A person who is between two sides and cannot change what happens

People say this jokingly about someone who often does dangerous things

To hit or shock someone so they feel dazed

8.3

To show anger or insult someone by lifting the middle finger

7.3

A very strong personal quality that shows what someone is like

Compounds

516 2.0

People with moderate income and education who are not rich or poor

238 2.8

A region around the eastern Mediterranean including countries from Egypt and Turkey to Iran

201 3.2

Of people or families with a moderate income and some education

103 1.4

A school for children between elementary and high school, usually grades 6 to 8

91 4.6

A place far from towns and people

62 1.8

A name that comes between a person's first name and last name

45 4.1

A period in Europe from about the 5th century to the late 15th century

41 4.2

An agreement both sides can accept

A man around 45 to 65 years old

Having higher than average income, education, and social position among the middle class

Something that is not extreme in politics or personal tastes

10 2.2

A period of life between about 40 and 60 years old

The finger between the index and ring fingers on the hand

Having a modest income and social position in the lower part of the middle class

middle finger
  • Offensive
7 5.0

A rude hand sign made by raising the finger in the middle to insult someone

middle ear
  • Specialized
4 3.5

A space filled with air behind the eardrum that contains three tiny bones that carry sound to the inner ear

A form of English spoken and written from about 1100 to 1450

The part of a picture or view between things near you and things far away

2 4.2

A job or person that is between lower workers and top managers

middle C
  • Specialized
1 4.2

The note C near the center of a piano used as a reference in music

1 7.6

A large artery in the brain that gives blood to much of the outer brain

1 3.5

A region in the east of the United States that includes states like New York and Virginia

1 7.0

A blood vessel inside the skull that carries blood to the coverings of the brain

Middle Paleolithic
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The second part of the Old Stone Age when Neanderthals lived, until about 35,000 BC

1 3.2

A region in the north-central United States that includes states like Ohio and Illinois

7.3

A vein deep in the side of the brain that drains blood toward the base of the brain

middle buster
  • Archaic
9.9

A plow that makes a deep middle row and moves soil to both sides

middle cerebral vein
  • Specialized
7.0

A blood vessel that drains blood from the side of the brain

A viral illness that causes fever, cough, and breathing problems and often spreads from camels to people

A form of the Irish language used in speech and writing from about 1100 to 1500

Middle Low German
  • Specialized
9.9

An old form of Low German spoken in northern Germany and by the Hanseatic League between 1100 and 1500

A person who has moderate political views between left and right

middle fifty
  • Specialized
8.0

The range covering the middle half of a set of numbers

A form of Greek spoken and written from about 600 to 1200 AD between Ancient and Modern Greek

An older form of German spoken in southern Germany and nearby areas from about 1100 to 1500

A form of the Irish language used from about 1100 to 1500

middle temporal vein
  • Specialized
7.7

A tube near the temple that carries blood to a larger vein behind the jaw

middle term
  • Specialized
9.9

A word or phrase that appears in both statements but not in the conclusion

middle-ear deafness
  • Specialized
6.2

Hearing loss caused by problems with the small bones in the middle ear

middle thyroid vein
  • Specialized
7.1

A neck vein that carries blood from the side of the thyroid gland into a large vein in the neck

middle voice
  • Specialized
9.1

A verb form where the subject does an action to itself or for itself

middle watch
  • Specialized
9.5

The time on a ship from midnight to four in the morning when crew are on duty

A gain of fat around the waist that happens in middle age

A large vein along the Sylvian fissure on the side of the brain that drains into the cavernous sinus

How Central

core
468 3.2
center
  • US
679 1.0
middle
1.0
edge
1.0
periphery
27 6.5

Surface Forms

middle singular
middles plural

Morphology

middle = mid (transparent) = mid + dle

The word is clearly built from the base 'mid' with a minor formative, so learners who know 'mid' can derive the meaning.

Etymology

Middle comes from an old Germanic root mid meaning 'between' or 'in the middle'. The same mid is in midnight and midday, so middle is the central point equally far from the start and the end.