medium

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the surrounding environment

   fish require an aqueous medium

2. 2
   noun

   someone who serves as an intermediary between the living and the dead

   The bereaved family consulted several mediums.

3. 3
   noun

   an intervening substance through which something is achieved

   the dissolving medium is called a solvent

4. 4
   noun

   The materials or empty space through which signals, waves, or forces pass.

   VVhether any other Liquours, being made Mediums, cauſe a Diuerſity of Sound from Water, it may bee tried: […]

5. 5
   noun

   A format for communicating or presenting information.

   [A]t all events, she drank in with eager ear, and admiring mind, anecdote and history of all those excellent traits of disposition, and nobleness of conduct, which made him the idol of his describer, and gave her a knowledge of his temper and character, and the manner in which his boyhood and youth had passed, which she could never have gained by any other medium, and which it was unquestionably right she should know.

6. 6
   noun

   A nutrient substance, commonly a solution or solid, for the growth of cells in vitro.

   In some instances one can take advantage of differential carbohydrate fermentation capabilities of microorganisms by incorporating one or more carbohydrates in the medium along with a suitable pH indicator. Such media are called differential media (e.g., eosin methylene blue or MacConkey agar) and are commonly used to isolate enteric bacilli.

7. 7
   noun

   A substance, structure, or environment in which living organisms subsist, grow or are cultured.

   The density of the living medium of fishes exerts upon them a mechanical influence; they are, so to say, balanced in water, free to proceed in all planes of direction...

8. 8
   noun

   A means, channel, agency or go-between through which communication, commerce, etc is conveyed or carried on, or by which an aim is achieved.

   His loyalty to the English was doubtful and wavering, and his opposition to Post's journey was probably due to fears that his own importance as a medium between the Ohio Indians and the English would be diminished by the former's success.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin medium, neuter of medius (“middle”), from Proto-Italic *meðjos, from Proto-Indo-European *médʰyos (“between”). Compare middle. Doublet of mid, medio, media, and meson.