mid·dle / ˈmidl/ • adj. 1. at an equal distance from the extremities of something; central: the early and middle part of life middle and eastern Europe. ∎  (of a member of a group, series, or sequence) so placed as to have the same number of members on each side: the woman was in her middle forties. ∎  intermediate in rank, quality, or ability: there is a dearth of talent at the middle level. ∎  (of a language) of the period between the old and modern forms: Middle High German.2. Gram. denoting a voice of verbs in some languages, such as Greek, that expresses reciprocal or reflexive action. ∎  denoting a transitive or intransitive verb in English with a passive sense, e.g., cuts in this meat cuts well.• n. 1. [usu. in sing.] the point or position at an equal distance from the sides, edges, or ends of something: she stood alone in the middle of the street. ∎  the point at or around the center of a process or activity, period of time, etc.: we were married in the middle of December. ∎ inf. a person's waist or waist and stomach: he had a towel around his middle.2. Gram. the form or voice of a verb expressing reflexive or reciprocal action, or a passive sense for a transitive or intransitive verb.3. short for middle term.PHRASES: down the middle divided or dividing something equally into two parts.in the middle of engaged in or in the process of doing something. ∎  involved in something, typically something unpleasant or dangerous: he was caught in the middle of the emotional triangle.the middle of nowhere inf. a place that is remote and isolated.steer (or take) a middle course adopt a policy that avoids extremes.