'mediate' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'mediare', where 'medius' meant 'middle'.

'mediate' changed from Medieval Latin 'mediatus' (past participle of 'mediare') and was influenced by Old French forms (such as 'medier'), eventually becoming the modern English word 'mediate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to place or be in the middle', but over time it evolved into its current senses of 'intervene between parties' and 'bring about indirectly (serve as a channel or means)'.