Me"di*um , a. Having a middle position or degree; mean; intermediate; medial; as, a
horse of medium size; a decoction of medium strength.
Me"di*um (?), 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.
The just medium . . . lies between
pride and abjection.
L'Estrange. (b) (Math.) See Mean. (c) (Logic) The mean or middle term of a syllogism; that by which the
extremes are brought into connection.
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.
Whether any other liquors, being made mediums, cause a diversity of sound from water, it may
be tried.
Bacon. I must bring together
All these extremes; and must remove all mediums.
Denham.
3. An average. [R.]
A medium
of six years of war, and six years of peace.
Burke. 4. A trade name
for printing and writing paper of certain sizes. See Paper.
5. (Paint.) The liquid vehicle with which dry colors are ground and prepared for application.
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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