Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MEAN, a.² [Fr. moyen; Sp. and Port. mediano; L. medium, medius; Ir. meadhan. See Middle.]

1. Middle; at an equal distance from the extremes; as the mean distance; the mean proportion between quantities; the mean ratio. According to the fittest style of lofty, mean, or lowly. Milton.
2. Intervening; intermediate; coming between; as, in the mean time or while.