different between intermediary vs middleman

English

Etymology

From French intermédiaire.

Adjective

intermediary (not comparable)

1. Intermediate.

Derived terms

• intermediarily

Translations

Noun

intermediary (plural intermediaries)

1. An agent acting as a mediator between sides to facilitate agreement or cooperation.

   Synonyms: mediator, middleman, go-between, intercessor

   • A Mr. Whymper, a solicitor living in Willingdon, had agreed to act as intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world […]

2. A person or organisation in an intermediate position (in a transaction, agreement, supply chain etc.)

   Synonyms: middleman, broker

   The intermediary between the manufacturer and retailer is the wholesaler

3. One or several stages of an event which occurs after the start and before the end.

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• middle man
• middle-man

Etymology

From Middle English myddil man, equivalent to middle +? man.

Pronunciation

• enPR: m?d??lm?n?
• IPA^(key): [?m?d???mæn]
• Rhymes: -?d?lmæn

Noun

middleman (plural middlemen)

1. An intermediary, agent between two (or more) parties.
2. An intermediate dealer between the manufacturer and the retailer or customer.
3. (Ireland, historical) One who rents land in large tracts, and lets it in small portions to the peasantry.

Coordinate terms

• middlewoman

Synonyms

• intermediary
• go-between
• mediator
• (intermediate dealer) grocer

Translations

Verb

middleman (third-person singular simple present middlemans, present participle middlemanning, simple past and past participle middlemanned)

1. To act as a middleman or intermediary.