mid-60
UK[ˌmɪd ˈsɪksti]US[ˌmɪd ˈsɪksti]
n
The period of time roughly in the middle of the 1960s decade.
adj
Of, relating to, or characteristic of the middle years of the 1960s.
Morpheme Breakdown
mid
60
mid
middle
60
the number sixty
Etymology
The term "mid-60" is a modern English compound formed by combining the prefix "mid-", denoting the central part of something, with the numeral "60", which specifies the decade. The logic is purely chronological and descriptive, creating a shorthand reference point within a century. It follows a common English pattern for indicating approximate time periods, such as "mid-century" or "late-80s". There is no deep historical evolution from ancient roots; its meaning is directly compositional from its two clear constituent parts.
Analysis
Structure: mid (middle) + 60 (the number sixty)
- mid: From Old English 'mid', meaning "with, together with, among". In modern English, it functions as a combining form meaning "middle of".
- 60: A cardinal number, representing the sixth decade of a century (e.g., 1960-1969). Its origin is from Old English 'sixtig', from a Germanic base meaning "six tens".
Examples
The fashion and music of the mid-60s reflected a period of great social change.
He was born in the mid-60s, so he has few memories of that turbulent decade.
This car is a classic mid-60s model, highly sought after by collectors.