Middle Kingdom

noun

1. Also called Middle Empire. the period in the history of ancient Egypt, c2000–1785 b.c., comprising the 11th to 14th dynasties.

2. History/Historical.

   1. the 18 inner provinces of China, taken collectively.

   2. (loosely) China.

3. the Chinese Empire: originally so called from its supposed location in the center of the earth.

Middle Kingdom

noun

1. a period of Egyptian history extending from the late 11th to the 13th dynasty (?2040–?1670 _bc )

2. 1. the former Chinese empire (from the belief that it lay at the centre of the earth)

   2. the original 18 provinces of China; China proper

Word History and Origins

Origin of Middle Kingdom¹

First recorded in 1655–65