mediocrity

  • 1Mediocrity — Me di*oc ri*ty, n. [F. m[ e]diocrit[ e], L. mediocritas.] [1913 Webster] 1. The quality of being mediocre; a middle state or degree; a moderate degree or rate. A mediocrity of success. Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. Moderation; temperance. [Obs.]… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2mediocrity — (n.) early 15c., moderation; intermediate state or amount, from M.Fr. médiocrité and directly from L. mediocritatem (nom. mediocritas) a middle state, middling condition, medium, from mediocris (see MEDIOCRE (Cf. mediocre)). Neutral at first;… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 3mediocrity — noun acceptability, adequateness, average, averageness, baseness, common lot, commonness, commonplaceness, deficiency, fairness, inconsiderableness, inferiority, inferiorness, insignificance, low grade, low quality, mean, meanness, mediocritas,… …

    Law dictionary

  • 4mediocrity — ► NOUN (pl. mediocrities) 1) the quality or state of being mediocre. 2) a person of mediocre ability …

    English terms dictionary

  • 5mediocrity — [mē΄dē äk′rə tē] n. pl. mediocrities [Fr médiocrité < L mediocritas] 1. the quality or state of being mediocre 2. mediocre ability or attainment 3. a person of mediocre abilities or attainments …

    English World dictionary

  • 6mediocrity — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) Average capacity or worth Nouns 1. mediocrity, middle course, moderate degree, medial standard, moderate or average circumstances; normality, average, golden mean; moderation, temperance, respectability; …

    English dictionary for students

  • 7Mediocrity — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Mediocrity >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 moderate circumstances moderate circumstances average circumstances Sgm: N 1 respectability respectability Sgm: N 1 middle classes middle classes Sgm: N 1 mediocrity mediocrity… …

    English dictionary for students

  • 8mediocrity — [[t]mi͟ːdiɒ̱krɪti, me̱d [/t]] mediocrities 1) N UNCOUNT (disapproval) If you refer to the mediocrity of something, you mean that it is of average quality but you think it should be better. ...the mediocrity of most contemporary literature...… …

    English dictionary

  • 9mediocrity — UK [ˌmiːdɪˈɒkrətɪ] / US [ˌmɪdɪˈɑkrətɪ] noun Word forms mediocrity : singular mediocrity plural mediocrities 1) [countable/uncountable] a quality, ability, or achievement that is average or below average We will not accept mediocrity – the job… …

    English dictionary

  • 10mediocrity — noun /miːdɪˈɒkɹɪti/ a) The quality of being intermediate between two extremes; a mean. In adversity I wish for prosperity, and in prosperity I am afraid of adversity. What mediocrity may be found? b) The condition of being mediocre; having only… …

    Wiktionary