mediocrity

From Middle French médiocrité, from Latin mediocritās, from mediocris.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /miːdɪˈɒkɹɪti/

mediocrity (countable and uncountable, plural mediocrities)

1. (now rare) The quality of being intermediate between two extremes; a mean.
2. (obsolete) A middle course of action; moderation, balance.
   • 1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxford: Printed by Iohn Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 216894069; The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd corrected and augmented edition, Oxford: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, 1624, OCLC 54573970:

     , New York Review Books 2001, p.273:

     In adversity I wish for prosperity, and in prosperity I am afraid of adversity. What mediocrity may be found?

3. (uncountable) The condition of being mediocre; having only an average degree of quality, skills etc.; no better than standard.
4. An individual with mediocre abilities or achievements.

• mean
• medium
• mediate
• mediation
• mediator
• median
• mediocre

• iridectomy