/ ˈmedl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
a flat piece of metal, usually shaped like a coin, that is given to the winner of a competition or to sb who has been brave, for example in war :
to win a gold medal in the Olympics
to award a medal for bravery
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IDIOMS
see deserve
■ verb
( -ll- , NAmE usually -l- ) [ v ] to win a medal in a competition :
Evans has medalled at several international events.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from French médaille , from Italian medaglia , from medieval Latin medalia half a denarius (ancient Roman silver coin), from Latin medialis medial.