"in or toward the middle of a ship," 1690s, from amid + ship (n.). It retains the genitive -s of compounds of amid in Middle English, suggesting this one is older than the written record of it.
in the late 19th century, engines were placed in front, amidships, and at the rear
amicable
amicably
amicus curiae
amid
-amide
amidships
amidst
Amiens
amigo
amine
amino-
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