middle-eastern
UK[ˌmɪdl̩ ˈiːstən]US[ˌmɪdl̩ ˈiːstərn]
adj
Relating to or characteristic of the Middle East, the region comprising southwest Asia and northeast Africa.
Morpheme Breakdown
middle
eastern
middle
central
eastern
of the east
Etymology
The term is a modern English compound, formed by directly combining two native English words to create a geographical descriptor. "Middle" originates from the Proto-Germanic medjaz, itself from the Proto-Indo-European root medhyo- meaning "middle." "Eastern" derives from the Proto-Germanic austra-, from the PIE root aus- meaning "to shine," referring to the dawn and thus the east. The compound "Middle East" was coined in the late 19th century from a Eurocentric perspective, situating the region between the "Near East" and the "Far East." The hyphenated adjective "middle-eastern" logically follows, denoting anything pertaining to this centrally located, eastern region.
Analysis
Structure: middle (central) + eastern (of the east)
- middle: From Old English middel, meaning "equally distant from extremes, central." It functions as a noun used attributively to specify a region.
- eastern: From Old English ēasterne, meaning "of the east." It is an adjective-forming suffix indicating direction or origin.
Examples
The conference focused on middle-eastern politics and economic development.
She has a deep appreciation for middle-eastern cuisine, particularly Lebanese dishes.
The museum's new exhibit features a collection of ancient middle-eastern artifacts.