Half /(häf)/

Half

a.
  1. Consisting of a moiety, or half; as, a half bushel; a half hour; a half dollar; a half view.
  2. Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect; as, a half dream; half knowledge.
    Assumed from thence a half consent.

Phrases & Compounds
Half ape
a lemur.
Half back
See under 2d Back.
Half bent
the first notch, for the sear point to enter, in the tumbler of a gunlock; the halfcock notch.
Half binding
a style of bookbinding in which only the back and corners are in leather.
Half boarder
one who boards in part; specifically, a scholar at a boarding school who takes dinner only.
Half-breadth plan
a horizontal plan of one half a vessel, divided lengthwise, showing the lines.
Half cadence
a cadence on the dominant.
Half cap
a slight salute with the cap.
At half cock
the position of the cock of a gun when retained by the first notch.
Half hitch
a sailor's knot in a rope; half of a clove hitch.
Half hose
short stockings; socks.
Half measure
an imperfect or weak line of action.
Half note
a minim, one half of a semibreve.
Half pay
half of the wages or salary; reduced pay; as, an officer on half pay.
Half price
half the ordinary price; or a price much reduced.
Half round
A molding of semicircular section.
Half shift
a position of the hand, between the open position and the first shift, in playing on the violin and kindred instruments. See Shift.
Half step
a semitone; the smallest difference of pitch or interval, used in music.
Half tide
the time or state of the tide equally distant from ebb and flood.
Half time
half the ordinary time for work or attendance; as, the half-time system.
Half tint
a middle or intermediate tint, as in drawing or painting. See Demitint.
Half truth
a statement only partially true, or which gives only a part of the truth.
Half year
the space of six months; one term of a school when there are two terms in a year.

Half

adv.
  1. In an equal part or degree; in some part approximating a half; partially; imperfectly; as, half-colored, half done, half-hearted, half persuaded, half conscious.
    Their children spoke halfin the speech of Ashdod.
    — Neh. xiii. 24.

Half

n.

pl. Halves ((hävz))

  1. Part; side; behalf. [Obs.]
    The four halves of the house.
  2. One of two equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided; -- sometimes followed by of; as, a half of an apple.
    Not half his riches known, and yet despised.
    A friendship so complete Portioned in halves between us.

Phrases & Compounds
Better half
See under Better.
In half
in two; an expression sometimes used improperly instead of in halves or into halves; as, to cut in half.
In one's half
in one's behalf; on one's part.
To cry halves
to claim an equal share with another.
To go halves
to share equally between two.

Half

v. t.
  1. To halve. [Obs.] See Halve. [Obs.]