DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Me·di·um n.; pl. L. Media E. Mediums
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.
Cir·cu·late v. i. [imp. & p. p. Circulated; p. pr. & vb. n. Circulating.]
1. To move in a circle or circuitously; to move round and return to the same point; as, the blood circulates in the body.
2. To pass from place to place, from person to person, or from hand to hand; to be diffused; as, money circulates; a story circulates.
Circulating decimal. See Decimal.
Circulating library, a library whose books are loaned to the public, usually at certain fixed rates.
Circulating medium. See Medium.