n. & adj.
n. 1 a large landlocked sea bordered by S. Europe, SW Asia, and n. Africa. 2 a native of a country bordering on the Mediterranean.
adj. 1 of or characteristic of the Mediterranean or its surrounding region (Mediterranean climate; Mediterranean cookery). 2 (of a person) dark-complexioned and not tall.
[ L mediterraneus inland f. medius middle + terra land ]