Average

[0. Fr. average; Fr. moyenne; L. Lat. averagium, the service which a va al or tenant was bound to render to his lord with his averia, or horses, oxen, carriages. Averia signifies generally goods, po e ions, money, from Fr. avoir, from Lat. habere, to have.] A mean proportion, medial sum or quantity, made out of unequal sums or proportions: as, A pays 25 dollars, B 50, and C 75, forming a total sum of 150, of which the average is 50. -Any general estimate or medial statement, formed from a comparison of diverse specific cases. (Mar. Law .) [Fr. avarie . Damage sustained by goods in transportation; money contributed by those concerned, in proportion to their respective interests, to make good a specific lo . General A. , is the quota or proportion which each proprietor in the ship or cargo is adjudged, upon an approximate estimate, to contribute in order to make good any damage, lo , or extraneous expense (arising from sea-risk) which has been incurred by any one for the general good. Particular A., is the specific amount of lo or damage arising to any individual interest or interests, and indemnifiable by the underwriters on such particular risk or risks only. Average, a. Medial; containing a mean proportion; as, an average harvest. (Com.) According to the laws and customs of average; as, the lo must be made good by average contribution. Average, v . a . To find the mean of unequal sums or quantities; to reduce to a medium. -v.i. To form a mean or medial sum or quantity; as, these spars average ten feet in length.