middlingly

middlingly
middling, middlingly
Middling has been used as an adjective in various senses since the 15c, but is now more commonly found as an adverb, a use attested from the 18c. In this role it competes with middlingly, which is recorded from the same date and was used by Dr Johnson in his definition of the word indifferently. Modern examples of each are:

• See that man over there, slim, middling-tall, middling-dark? That man is following you —Guardian, 1991

• The many social gradations which lay between these extremes, gradations which embraced both the modestly rich and the middlingly poor —A. Sanders, 2003.

A common use of middling as an adjective is in the combination middling-to-large:

• I do…know that something will turn up. A child, to be exact. In six months' time. Which will have broadly the same effect on my finances as a middling-to-large war has on a developing nation —Times, 2002.


Modern English usage. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • middlingly — adverb : indifferently, tolerably I dare say I thought but middlingly of them Thomas Moore …   Useful english dictionary

  • Middlingly — Middling Mid dling, a. Of middle rank, state, size, or quality; about equally distant from the extremes; medium; moderate; mediocre; ordinary. A town of but middling size. Hallam. [1913 Webster] Plainly furnished, as beseemed the middling… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • middlingly — adverb see middling I …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • middlingly — See middling. * * * …   Universalium

  • middlingly — adverb In a middling manner; averagely, moderately …   Wiktionary

  • middlingly — mɪdlweɪlɪ adv. in an average manner; sufficiently; moderately; in a mediocre manner …   English contemporary dictionary

  • middlingly — mid·dling·ly …   English syllables

  • middling — middlingly, adv. /mid ling/, adj. 1. medium, moderate, oraverage in size, quantity, or quality: The returns on such a large investment may be only middling. 2. mediocre; ordinary; commonplace; pedestrian: The restaurant s entrées are no better… …   Universalium

  • middling — middling, middlingly Middling has been used as an adjective in various senses since the 15c, but is now more commonly found as an adverb, a use attested from the 18c. In this role it competes with middlingly, which is recorded from the same date… …   Modern English usage

  • middling — I. adjective Date: 15th century 1. of middle, medium, or moderate size, degree, or quality 2. mediocre, second rate 3. of, relating to, or being a middle class • middling adverb • middlingly adverb II …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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