Middle Kingdom: Meaning and Definition of

Mid'dle King'dom

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. Also calledthe period in the history of ancient Egypt, c2000–1785 b.c.,comprising the 11th to 14th dynasties. Cf.
    1. the 18 inner provinces of China, taken collectively.
    2. (loosely) China.
  2. the Chinese Empire: originally so called from its supposed location in the center of the earth.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.