mediate
to intervene between sides to help settle a dispute
Root
- medi / medium: middle, between, or moderate position
Other words with the medi / medium root
- intermediary: person or thing that acts between others
- intermediate: coming between two things
- mediator: person who helps opposing sides reach agreement
- mediocre: ordinary or only moderate in quality
- medium: middle point; means of communication or substance
Mediate is medi in action: step into the middle so two sides can meet instead of collide.
A counselor helped mediate the argument before it became permanent.
Mediate is not just help. It is help from the middle. Picture someone standing between two angry people, creating enough space for words to travel safely.