1. Also called Middle Empire . the period in the history of ancient Egypt, c2000-1785 B.C., comprising the 11th to 14th dynasties. Cf. New Kingdom, Old Kingdom .
2. Hist.
a. the 18 inner provinces of China, taken collectively.
b. (loosely) China.
3. the Chinese Empire: originally so called from its supposed location in the center of the earth.
[ 1655-65 ]