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more about amid
amid |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Amid \A*mid"\, prep. See {Amidst}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Amidst \A*midst"\, Amid \A*mid"\, prep. [OE. amidde amiddes on midden, AS on middan, in the middle, fr midde the middle. The s is an adverbial ending, originally marking the genitive; the t is a later addition, as in whilst, amongst, alongst. See {Mid}.] In the midst or middle of surrounded or encompassed by among. ``This fair tree amidst the garden.'' ``Unseen amid the throng.'' ``Amidst thick clouds.'' --Milton. ``Amidst acclamations.'' ``Amidst the splendor and festivity of a court.'' --Macaulay. But rather famish them amid their plenty. --Shak. Syn: {Amidst}, {Among}. Usage: These words differ to some extent from each other as will be seen from their etymology. Amidst denotes in the midst or middle of and hence surrounded by as this work was written amidst many interruptions. Among denotes a mingling or intermixing with distinct or separable objects; as ``He fell among thieves.'' ``Blessed art thou among women.'' Hence we say among the moderns, among the ancients, among the thickest of trees, among these considerations, among the reasons I have to offer. Amid and amidst are commonly used when the idea of separate or distinguishable objects is not prominent. Hence we say they kept on amidst the storm, amidst the gloom, he was sinking amidst the waves, he persevered amidst many difficulties; in none of which cases could among be used In like manner, Milton speaks of Abdiel, The seraph Abdiel, faithful found Among the faithless faithful only he because he was then considered as one of the angels. But when the poet adds, From amidst them forth he passed, we have rather the idea of the angels as a collective body. Those squalid cabins and uncleared woods amidst which he was born. --Macaulay.
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