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   average

   /ˈav(ə)rɪdʒ/

   noun

   • 1. a number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data, in particular the mode, median, or (most commonly) the mean, which is calculated by dividing the sum of the values in the set by their number: "the proportion of over-60s is above the EU average of 19 per cent"
   • ▪ an amount, standard, level, or rate regarded as usual or ordinary: "underground water reserves are below average"
   • 2. the apportionment of financial liability resulting from loss of or damage to a ship or its cargo.
   • ▪ reduction in the amount payable under an insurance policy, e.g. in respect of partial loss.

   adjective

   • 1. constituting the result obtained by adding together several amounts and then dividing this total by the number of amounts: "the average temperature in May was 4°C below normal" Similar meanmedianmedialmiddle
   • ▪ of the usual or ordinary amount, standard, level, or rate: "a woman of average height" Similar ordinarystandardusualnormaltypicalregularunexceptional
   • ▪ having qualities that are seen as typical of a particular person, group, or thing: "the average lad likes a good night out"
   • ▪ mediocre; not very good: "a very average director making very average movies" Similar mediocresecond-rateuninspiredundistinguishedordinarycommonplacemiddle-of-the-roadmainstreamunexceptionalunexcitingunremarkableunmemorableindifferenthumdrumnothing specialeverydayblandrun-of-the-millnot very goodpedestrianprosaiclacklustreforgettableamateuramateurishacceptablepassableall rightadequatefairmiddlingmoderatetolerablegarden-varietyinformal:OKso-sobog-standardfair-to-middling(plain) vanillanothing to write home aboutnothing to get excited abouta dime a dozenno great shakesnot so hotnot up to muchcommon or gardennot much copten a pennybush-leaguejakehalf-pieOpposite outstandingexceptional

   verb

   • 1. amount to or achieve as an average rate or amount over a period of time; mean: "annual inflation averaged 2.4 per cent"
   • ▪ calculate or estimate the average of: "they earned only £35 weekly when their seasonal earnings were averaged out"
   • ▪ result in an even distribution; even out: "it is reasonable to hope that the results will average out"
   • ▪ result in an average figure of: "the cost should average out at about £6 per page"

   Word Origin late 15th century: from French avarie ‘damage to ship or cargo’, earlier ‘customs duty’, from Italian avaria, from Arabic ‘awār ‘damage to goods’; the suffix -age is on the pattern of damage. Originally denoting a duty payable by the owner of goods to be shipped, the term later denoted the financial liability from goods lost or damaged at sea, and specifically the equitable apportionment of this between the owners of the vessel and of the cargo (late 16th century); this gave rise to the general sense of calculating the mean (mid 18th century).

   Derivatives

   • 1. averagely adverb
   • 2. averageness noun

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • A

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • G

     2

   • E

     1

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