GOLDEN MEAN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does golden mean mean? 

• GOLDEN MEAN (noun)
  The noun GOLDEN MEAN has 2 senses:

1. the proportional relation between two divisions of line or two dimension of a plane figure such that short : long :: long : (short + long)

2. the middle between extremes

  Familiarity information: GOLDEN MEAN used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GOLDEN MEAN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The proportional relation between two divisions of line or two dimension of a plane figure such that short : long :: long : (short + long)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

Synonyms:

golden mean; golden section

Hypernyms ("golden mean" is a kind of...):

proportion (the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The middle between extremes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("golden mean" is a kind of...):

moderateness; moderation (quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes)

 Context examples 

Before the golden mean was found, however, Meg added to her domestic possessions what young couples seldom get on long without, a family jar.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)