{ } prep. [ OE. amidde, amiddes, on midden, AS. on middan, in the middle, fr. midde the middle. The s is an adverbial ending, originally marking the genitive; the t is a later addition, as in whilst, amongst, alongst. See Mid. ] In the midst or middle of; surrounded or encompassed by; among. “This fair tree amidst the garden.” “Unseen amid the throng.” “Amidst thick clouds.” Milton. “Amidst acclamations.” “Amidst the splendor and festivity of a court.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

But rather famish them amid their plenty. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Amidst, Among. These words differ to some extent from each other, as will be seen from their etymology. Amidst denotes in the midst or middle of, and hence surrounded by; as, this work was written amidst many interruptions. Among denotes a mingling or intermixing with distinct or separable objects; as, “He fell among thieves.” “Blessed art thou among women.” Hence, we say, among the moderns, among the ancients, among the thickest of trees, among these considerations, among the reasons I have to offer. Amid and amidst are commonly used when the idea of separate or distinguishable objects is not prominent. Hence, we say, they kept on amidst the storm, amidst the gloom, he was sinking amidst the waves, he persevered amidst many difficulties; in none of which cases could among be used. In like manner, Milton speaks of Abdiel, -- The seraph Abdiel, faithful found;
Among the faithless faithful only he, [ 1913 Webster ] because he was then considered as one of the angels. But when the poet adds, -- From amidst them forth he passed, [ 1913 Webster ] we have rather the idea of the angels as a collective body. Those squalid cabins and uncleared woods amidst which he was born. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

prep. See Amidst. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Ammonia + -ide. ] (Chem.) A compound formed by the union of amidogen with an acid element or radical. It may also be regarded as ammonia in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by an acid atom or radical. [ 1913 Webster ]

Acid amide, a neutral compound formed by the substitution of the amido group for hydroxyl in an acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. amidine, fr. amido&unr_; starch, fr. L. amylum, Gr. &unr_; fine meal, neut. of &unr_; not ground at the mill, -- hence, of the finest meal; 'a priv. + &unr_;, &unr_;, mill. See Meal. ] (Chem.) Start modified by heat so as to become a transparent mass, like horn. It is soluble in cold water. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Amide. ] (Chem.) Containing, or derived from, amidogen. [ 1913 Webster ]

Amido acid, an acid in which a portion of the nonacid hydrogen has been replaced by the amido group. The amido acids are both basic and acid. --
Amido group, amidogen, NH2. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Amide + -gen. ] (Chem.) A compound radical, NH2, not yet obtained in a separate state, which may be regarded as ammonia from the molecule of which one of its hydrogen atoms has been removed; -- called also the amido group, and in composition represented by the form amido. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Amide + -ol as in alcohol. ] (Photog. & Chem.) A salt of a diamino phenol, C6H3(OH)(NH2)2, used as a developer. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

adv. (Naut.) In the middle of a ship, with regard to her length, and sometimes also her breadth. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]