The Collaborative International Dictionary
Middlings \Mid"dlings\, n. pl.
A combination of the coarser parts of ground wheat the finest bran, separated from the fine flour and coarse bran in bolting; -- formerly regarded as valuable only for feed; but now, after separation of the bran, used for making the best quality of flour. Middlings contain a large proportion of gluten.
In the southern and western parts of the United States, the portion of the hog between the ham and the shoulder; bacon; -- called also middles.
--Bartlett.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context cooking English) Low grade or coarse flour; coarse wheat mixed with bran. 2 (context cooking chiefly Southern US English) The part of a pig between the shoulder and the ham. 3 (context business English) Partially refined ore or petroleum. 4 (context business English) commodity that are of intermediate price, size or quality.
Usage examples of "middlings".
Or else urrish middlings rode bulging balloons, wafting upward on puffs of torrid air.
Near the adults, a group of early middlings gamboled and snapped in mock battle, ignoring their elders' sudden, dark focus on the heavens.
Near the adults, a group of early middlings gamboled and snapped in mock battle, ignoring their elders’ sudden, dark focus on the heavens.