middling

== English == === Etymology === The noun is probably from middle (noun) +‎ -ing; the adjective is most likely derived from the noun, and the adverb from the adjective. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈmɪdlɪŋ/, /ˈmɪdl̩ɪŋ/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈmɪd(ə)lɪŋ/ Hyphenation: mid‧dl‧ing === Adjective === middling (comparative more middling, superlative most middling) Of intermediate or average size, position, or quality; mediocre. Synonyms: average, medium, unexceptional; see also Thesaurus:mediocre (colloquial, regional UK) In fairly good health. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Adverb === middling (comparative more middling, superlative most middling) (colloquial, regional UK) Fairly, moderately, somewhat. 1811, Engelbert Kempfer [i.e., Engelbert Kaempfer]; J[ohann] G[aspar] Scheuchzer, transl., “The Division and Sub-division of the Empire of Japan into Its Several Provinces; as also of Its Revenue and Government”, in The History of Japan; republished in John Pinkerton, editor, A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in All Parts of the World; Many of which are Now First Translated into English. Digested on a New Plan, volume VII, London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, Paternoster-Row; and Cadell and Davies, in the Strand, →OCLC, page 665: Iwami, otherwise Sekisju, is two days journey long, going from ſouth to north, a middling good country, producing plenty of cannib, and affording ſome ſalt. (colloquial, regional UK) Not too badly, with modest success. === Noun === middling (plural middlings) Something of intermediate or average size, position, or quality. (in the plural) Preceded by the: people of moderate means; members of the middle class. === Further reading === Michael Quinion (created May 26, 2001, last updated October 1, 2016), “Fair to middling”, in World Wide Words.