Mixed

Mixed

Adjective · /mɪkst/

Definition

Consisting of different elements, types, or qualities combined together; of different races, backgrounds, or origins (a mixed-race person, a mixed community); having both good and bad elements (mixed reviews, mixed feelings); involving both sexes (mixed company, mixed school).

Origin

Past participle and adjective from mix, from Old English miscian (to mix), from Latin miscere (to mix, to blend), related to Greek mignynai (to mix). The Latin miscere giving admix, commix, intermix, promiscuous (originally meaning mixed without discrimination), and miscellaneous (mixed together). The adjective mixed is used in a wide range of compound expressions — mixed feelings, mixed bag, mixed economy, mixed metaphor, mixed blessing — each capturing a specific kind of combination or ambiguity.