August 24, 2011
- mediocre (adjective)
- \mee-dee-OH-ker\
- What does it mean?
- : of medium or low quality : ordinary
- How do you use it?
- Fiona and Keegan both thought the movie was mediocre compared to the book.
- Are you a word wiz?
The word "mediocre" comes in part from the Latin word "ocris," which refers to something found in nature. What do you think "ocris" means?
Your words skills are anything but mediocre if you chose A. "Mediocre" comes from Latin "mediocris," which is a combination of "medius," meaning "middle," and "ocris," meaning "stony mountain." Perhaps the middle of a mountain, or halfway up a mountain, was thought of as only ordinary as compared to its summit. Speaking of summit, "acme" is another word that means highest point. "Acme" comes from the Greek noun "acme" (meaning "point" or "highest point"), which is akin to "ocris," the Latin root of "mediocre."
