/med"l/ , n. , v. , medaled, medaling or ( esp. Brit. ) medalled, medalling .
n.
1. a flat piece of metal, often a disk but sometimes a cross, star, or other form, usually bearing an inscription or design, issued to commemorate a person, action, or event, or given as a reward for bravery, merit, or the like: a gold medal for the best swimmer.
2. a similar object bearing a religious image, as of a saint: a Saint Christopher's medal.
v.t.
3. to decorate or honor with a medal.
v.i.
4. to receive a medal, esp. in a sporting event: He medaled in three of four races.
[ 1580-90; earlier medaille medaglia copper coin worth a halfpenny medalia, var. (by dissimilation) of LL medialia, n. use of neut. pl. (taken as fem. sing.) of medialis MEDIAL ]