middlesome

adj, adv — 2 senses

middlesome

adj

Etymology From middle + -some.

1

Rare Characterised or marked by moderation; tending toward the middle; intermediate; middling; average

  • The Necessity of having one to assist him in measuring his Lines with the Chain, as oft as he would practise his Skill, or get more; and the exposing of his Unreadiness to the View of middlesome People, while he is yet raw and unexperienc'd, as every one must needs be at first: Both which may in a good measure be avoided by this easy Knack.1711, The Country, Survey, Book:
  • Frequent and middlesome interference by the politician with details of day-today administration will not only hamper smooth working of government but also shake the morale of the Civil Servants. A.D. Gorwala in his Report on Public Administration in India refers to the following instance.2000, R. D. Sharma, Administrative systems of developing societies:
2 more examples
  • Meddlesome and / I'll say middlesome; all right middling / people / You / and me / Dost You Care?2006, Richard Rampello, Acts of Novelty Are Unburdened Truths:
  • Angelo has high HP, but middlesome defences, so it won't be too long before he gets his just desserts.2016, Bravely Second: End Layer - Strategy Guide

middlesome

adv

Etymology From middle + -some.

1

Rare In a middlesome manner; moderately

  • '[...] Don't drink too little and don't drink too much – drink middlesome.'2015, Nikolay Leskov, The Steel Flea:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.