Midland

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A central geographical region of a country that may possess unique cultural and environmental traits
2. A landmass situated inland from the coast, often characterized by moderate elevation and rural culture
3. An area located near the center of a country away from coastal zones, often featuring a distinct environment and culture

Etymology: "Midland" is a plain compound: "mid-", meaning "middle", joined to "land". The Middle English form "mydlonde" shows the two parts still fused into a single word, with "land" in its ordinary sense of territory or ground. The term naturally came to name the interior of a country, away from its coasts and borders. Because the word is built from transparent parts, its sense has stayed close to its literal meaning: a region lying in the middle of a larger land. The adjective use described here, applying the word to a central region with its own distinctive character, grows directly out of that noun sense.

Synonyms: central, interior