GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Medium (?), n.; pl. L. Media (#), E. Mediums (#). [L. medium the middle, fr. medius middle. See Mid, and cf. Medius.]
   
   1. That which lies in the middle, or between other things; intervening body or quantity. Hence, specifically: (a) Middle place or degree; mean.
   
   [1913 Webster] The just medium . . . lies between pride and abjection. L'Estrange.
   
   [1913 Webster] (b) (Math.) See Mean. (c) (Logic) The mean or middle term of a syllogism; that by which the extremes are brought into connection.
   
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   2. A substance through which an effect is transmitted from one thing to another; as, “air is the common medium of sound”. Hence: The condition upon which any event or action occurs; necessary means of motion or action; that through or by which anything is accomplished, conveyed, or carried on; specifically, in animal magnetism, spiritualism, etc., a person through whom the action of another being is said to be manifested and transmitted.
   
   [1913 Webster] Whether any other liquors, being made mediums, cause a diversity of sound from water, it may be tried. Bacon.
   
   [1913 Webster] I must bring together
   All these extremes; and must remove all mediums. Denham.
   
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   3. An average. [R.]
   
   [1913 Webster] A medium of six years of war, and six years of peace. Burke.
   
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   4. A trade name for printing and writing paper of certain sizes. See Paper.
   
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   5. (Paint.) The liquid vehicle with which dry colors are ground and prepared for application.
   
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   6. (Microbiology) A source of nutrients in which a microorganism is placed to permit its growth, cause it to produce substances, or observe its activity under defined conditions; also called culture medium or growth medium.  The medium is usually a solution of nutrients in water, or a similar solution solidified with gelatin or agar.
   
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   7. A means of transmission of news, advertising, or other messages from an information source to the public, also called a news medium, such as a newspaper or radio; used mostly in the plural form, i. e. news media or media.  See 1st media2.
   
   [PJC] Circulating medium, a current medium of exchange, whether coin, bank notes, or government notes. -- Ethereal medium (Physics), the ether. -- Medium of exchange, that which is used for effecting an exchange of commodities -- money or current representatives of money.
   
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2.       
   Medium, a. Having a middle position or degree; mean; intermediate; medial; as, “a horse of medium size; a decoction of medium strength.”
   
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