mediterranean

noun

1. Mediterranean Sea.
2. a person whose physical characteristics are considered typical of the peoples native to or inhabiting the Mediterranean area.
3. the, Informal. the islands and countries of the Mediterranean Sea collectively.

adjective

4. pertaining to, situated on or near, or dwelling about the Mediterranean Sea.
5. pertaining to or characteristic of the peoples native to the lands along or near the Mediterranean Sea.
6. surrounded or nearly surrounded by land.

noun

1. short for the Mediterranean Sea
2. a native or inhabitant of a Mediterranean country

adjective

3. of, relating to, situated or dwelling on or near the Mediterranean Sea
4. denoting a postulated subdivision of the Caucasoid race, characterized by slender build and dark complexion
5. meteorol (of a climate) characterized by hot summers and relatively warm winters when most of the annual rainfall occurs
6. (often not capital) obsolete situated in the middle of a landmass; inland

“the sea between southern Europe and northern Africa,” c.1400, from Late Latin Mediterraneum mare “Mediterranean Sea” (7c.), from Latin mediterraneus “midland;” the original sense being of “sea in the middle of the earth,” from medius “middle” (see medial (adj.)) + terra “land, earth” (see terrain). The Old English name was Wendel-sæ, so called for the Vandals, Germanic tribe that settled on the southwest coast of it after the fall of Rome. The noun meaning “a person of Mediterranean race” is from 1888.