in medias res

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin in mediās rēs (literally “into the middle of things”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪn ˌmiːdɪəs ˈɹeɪz/

Adverb

in medias res (not comparable)

1. In the middle of a storyline.

   Synonym: in-between

   Coordinate term: ab ovo

   This novel begins in medias res.

   • 2008, Don Gifford, Robert J. Seidman, Ulysses Annotated: Notes for James Joyce's Ulysses, Univ of California Press (→ISBN), page 2:

     As in a good epic, Ulysses begins in medias res and fills us in on Stephen's life since the end of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by flashback; and by the flashback of memory we are given the story of Molly's and Bloom's lives.

   • 2013, H. David Brumble, Classical Myths and Legends in the Middle Ages and Renaissance: A Dictionary of Allegorical Meanings, Routledge (→ISBN)

     Homer begins in medias res. Then, well into the poem, he takes us back to tell us about the events that make up the beginning of the story. The Odyssey, for example, begins in the tenth year of Odysseus's wanderings; then, later in the poem, […]

Adjective

in medias res (not comparable)

1. Beginning in the middle of its storyline: said of a work of literature or a film.

   Although not strictly in medias res, the film uses flashbacks extensively.

Noun

in medias res (uncountable)

1. Narrative presented in medias res.
   • 2010 (March 31^st, 5:00pm): Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw, “Final Fantasy XIII” reviewed by Zero Punctuation, 2:03–2:16

     Anyway, the characters have been introduced but by no means established. I know Final Fantasy’s always been big on in medias res, but even the most basic questions about the plot remain unanswered. Who the fuck are these people? What is going on? Why should I care? Can I stop playing now? Please?

Further reading

• in medias res on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• sideramines

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Spanish

Etymology

From Latin in medias res (literally “into the middle of things”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /in ˈme.ðjas ˌres/

Adverb

in medias res

1. in medias res

Adjective

in medias res (plural in medias res)

1. in medias res

Related terms

• ab initio
• ab ovo