noun
between the eyes; before one's eyes
Poetic term referring to the space between the eyes or the area directly in front of one's eyes. Rare in modern everyday language; found in classical or literary contexts.
まなかいに浮かぶ故郷の景色。
The scenery of my hometown floating before my eyes.
Compound of 目 (ma, 'eye') + 交い (nakai, 'intersection' or 'meeting'), referring to the point where the lines of sight from both eyes meet. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.