A'v'er-age1, n.
n. [O. Fr. average, L. Lat. averagium, from averare, adverare, to prove, estimate, find out. See AVER, and cf. AVERPENNY.]
Sense 1. A mean proportion, medial sum or quantity, made out of unequal sums or quantities. Thus, if A loses 5 dollars, B 9, and C 16, the sum is 30, and the average 10.
Sense 2. Any medial estimate or general statement derived from a comparison of diverse specific cases, “The average of sensations.” Paley.
Sense 3. (pl.) In the English corn trade, the medial amount of prices of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.
Sense 4. (Com.) A contribution to a loss suffered by one of several for the general benefit; damage done by sea-perils. Arnould. Maude. Pollock.
General average, a contribution made, by all parties concerned in a sea adventure, toward a loss, by the voluntary sacrifice of the property of some of the parties in interest for the benefit of all. It is called general average, because it falls upon the gross amount of ship, cargo, and freight at risk, and saved by the sacrifice. Kent.—Particular average signifies the damage or partial loss happening to the ship, or cargo, or freight, in consequence of some fortuitous or unavoidable accident; and it is borne by the individual owners of the articles damaged, or by their insurers.—Petty averages are certain small charges, which occur regularly, and are necessarily defrayed by the master in the usual course of a voyage; such as port charges, common pilotage, and the like, which formerly were, and in some cases still are, borne partly by the ship and partly by the cargo. In the clause commonly found in bills of lading, “primage and average accustomed,” average means a kind of composition established by usage for such charges, which were formerly assessed by way of average. Arnould. Abbott. Phillips.—Upon or on an average, taking the mean of unequal numbers or quantities.