ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English middelerthe, alteration (influenced by erthe earth) of midelerde, middelert, alteration (influenced by middel middle) of middenerd, from Old English middaneard, alteration (influenced by eard region, dwelling-place) of middangeard; akin to Old Saxon middilgard middle-earth, Old High German mittelgart, mittingart, Old Norse mithgarthr, Gothic midjungards; all from a prehistoric Germanic compound whose first constituent is akin to Old English midde mid and whose second constituent is akin to Old English geard yard, dwelling, land, world
— more at mid , yard : the earth regarded as situated between the upper and lower regions or as occupying the center of the universe