I. ˈmed ə l noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French medaille, from Old Italian medaglia, coin worth half a denarius, medal, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin medalia, neuter plural of medalis half, from Late Latin medialis middle, from Latin medius middle, half + -alis -al — more at mid
1.
a. : a metal disk bearing a religious emblem or picture that represents a particular devotion or object of veneration
b. archaic : image , representation
2. : a piece of metal usually in the form of a coin with an inscription, head, or other device issued to commemorate a person, action, or event or awarded (as to a soldier) for heroic deeds or meritorious service or (as to a student) for proficiency, skill, or excellence
II. transitive verb
( medaled or medalled ; medaled or medalled ; medaling or medalling -d( ə )liŋ ; medals )
: to honor or reward with a medal : to confer a medal on
medaled by the king — W.M.Thackeray
III. verb
intransitive verb
: to win a medal
medaled in figure skating