[med.al] n [MF medaille, fr. OIt medaglia coin worth half a denarius, medal, fr. (assumed) VL medalis half, alter. of LL medialis middle, fr. L medius--more at mid] (ca. 1578) 1: a small usu. metal object bearing a religious emblem or picture
2: a piece of metal often resembling a coin and having a stamped design that is issued to commemorate a person or event or awarded for excellence or achievement