\Midst\, n. [From middest, in the middest, for older in
middes, where -s is adverbial (orig. forming a genitive), or
still older a midde, a midden, on midden. See {Mid}, and cf.
{Amidst}.]
1. The interior or central part or place; the middle; -- used
   chiefly in the objective case after in; as, in the midst
   of the forest.
         And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he
         came out of him.                      --Luke iv. 35.
         There is nothing . . . in the midst [of the play]
         which might not have been placed in the beginning.
                                               --Dryden.
2. Hence, figuratively, the condition of being surrounded or
   beset; the press; the burden; as, in the midst of official
   duties; in the midst of secular affairs.
Note: The expressions in our midst, in their midst, etc., are
      avoided by some good writers, the forms in the midst of
      us, in the midst of them, etc., being preferred.
Syn: {Midst}, {Middle}.
Usage: Midst in present usage commonly denotes a part or
       place surrounded on enveloped by or among other parts
       or objects (see {Amidst}); while middle is used of the
       center of length, or surface, or of a solid, etc. We
       say in the midst of a thicket; in the middle of a
       line, or the middle of a room; in the midst of
       darkness; in the middle of the night.

\Midst\, prep.
In the midst of; amidst. --Shak.

\Midst\, adv.
In the middle. [R.] --Milton.