| Title | mediocrity |
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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary me·di·oc·ri·ty (plural -ties) DATE 1588 1. a. the quality or state of being mediocre b. moderate ability or value 2. a mediocre person English Etymology mediocrity mid-15c., from Fr. médiocrité, from L. mediocritatem (nom.mediocritas) "a middling condition," from mediocris (see mediocre). Neutral at first; disparaging sense began to predominate from late 16c. The noun meaning "person of mediocre abilities or attainments" is from 1690s. Before the tinge of disparagement crept in, another name for the Golden Mean was golden mediocrity. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 mediocrity me·di·oc·rity / 7mi:di5CkrEti; NAmE -5B:k- / noun(pl. -ies) (disapproving) 1. [U] the quality of being average or not very good 平庸；普通；平常: His acting career started brilliantly, then sank into mediocrity. 他的演艺生涯开场时轰轰烈烈,然后就变得庸庸碌碌。 2. [C] a person who is not very good at sth 平庸之人；碌碌无为者: a brilliant leader, surrounded by mediocrities 周围全是些庸才的杰出领导 Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged medi·oc·ri·ty \ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈäkrəd.ē, -ətē, -i\ noun (-es) Etymology: Middle English mediocrite, from Middle French mediocrité, from Latin mediocritat-, mediocritas, from mediocris mediocre + -tat, -tas, -ty 1. archaic : the quality or state of being intermediate between extremes or a quality, condition, position, or degree that is intermediate: as a. : moderation of conduct : avoidance of excess or extremes : temperance b. : ability or endowment in modest degree c. : modest fortune : limited or less than ample means 2. : average capacity or worth regarded as dull, uninspired, or poor : conspicuous lack of distinction or excellence : inferiority < not ordinary mediocrity this, but planned, engineered mediocrity— and the social engineer's jargon is the measure of it — W.H.Whyte > 3. : a person of no outstanding distinction < a most intelligent middle-aged mediocrity — Oscar Wilde > < shone among the mediocrities who surrounded him > |
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