Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Half

in an equal part or degree; in some pa appromating a half; partially; imperfectly; as, half-coloured, half done, half-hearted, half persuaded, half conscious. Half loth and half consenting. Their children spoke halfin the speech of Ashdod. (Neh. Xiii. 24)

1. Consisting of a moiety, or half; as, a half bushel; a half hour; a half dollar; a half view.

The adjective and noun are often united to form a compound.

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. (Tennyson) half ape, 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 moths; one term of a school when there are two terms in a year.

Origin: as. Healf, half, half; as a noun, half, side, part; akin to os, OFries, & D. Half, g. Halb, Sw. Half, dan. Halv, Icel. Halfr, goth. Halbs. Cf. Halve, Behalf.