amidships

• midships

amid +‎ ships

• IPA^(key): /əˈmɪd.ʃɪps/

amidships (not comparable)

1. (nautical) In the middle of a ship, either longitudinally or laterally.

   [The U-boat captain] waited until the crosshairs lay directly amidships. “Torpedo ... los!”

   Two more torpedoes were fired; one ran erratic; the second hit amidships.

   The saloon, instead of being at the stern, according to the old method of construction, is placed more amidships.

   The main cabin, most amidships, was 8 feet 3 inches broad [...]

2. (nautical) Usually in the line of the keel, but sometimes halfway between bow and stern; often contracted to “midships.” (FM 55-501).
3. (figuratively) On the flank, at a vulnerable place.
   • 1960, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, chapter XX, in Jeeves in the Offing, London: Herbert Jenkins, OCLC 1227855:

     In stating that the Woosters never give up, I was in error. These words caught me amidships and took all the fighting spirit out of me, leaving me a spent force.

amidships

1. A helm order, normally shortened to midships!, to centre the helm in the line of the keel.