以下内容是《柯林斯Cobuild高阶英汉双解学习词典》对medium的用法解释,说得很清楚:
The plural of the noun can be either mediums or media for meanings 4 and 5. The form mediums is the plural for meaning 6. 义项4和义项5的复数形式为 mediums 或 media。义项6的复数形式是 mediums。
1. 形容词。中等的;中间的;中号的:
A medium dose produces severe nausea within hours. 中等剂量几小时之内会引发严重的恶心。
He was of medium height with blond hair and light blue eyes. 他中等身材,金发碧眼。
2. 形容词。中间的;平均的:
Foods that contain only medium levels of sodium are bread, cakes, milk, butter and margarine. 含钠量仅为中等水平的食物有面包、蛋糕、牛奶、黄油和人造黄油。
...a sweetish, medium-strength beer 中度甜啤酒
3. 与颜色词构成的词。(颜色)不深不浅的,适中的:
Andrea has medium brown hair, grey eyes and very pale skin. 安德烈娅有着深浅适中的棕发、灰色的眼睛和十分白皙的皮肤。
When violet is added to the medium blue a particularly striking, warm coloration is created. 在中蓝色中加入蓝紫色就形成了一种格外鲜艳夺目的暖色。
4. (表现)方式;(交流)手段:
In Sierra Leone, English is used as the medium of instruction for all primary education. 在塞拉利昂,基础教育阶段全部用英语授课。
But Artaud was increasingly dissatisfied with film as a medium. 但是阿尔托对电影这种表现方式越来越不满。
5. 媒介;介质;媒介物:
Blood is the medium in which oxygen is carried to all parts of the body. 血液是将氧气输送到人体各个部位的媒介。
Hyatt has found a way of creating these qualities using the more permanent medium of oil paint. 海厄特已经找到产生这些特性的方法,那就是利用油彩这种更加持久的材料。
6. (自称能够在死者与生者之间传递信息的)巫师,灵媒