Half

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /hɑːf/

• GenAm IPA: /hæf/
• Ireland IPA: /haf/

Origin

From Middle English, from Old English healf ("half"); as a noun, 'half', 'side', 'part', from Proto-Germanic *halbaz; akin to Old Saxon, Old Frisian, and Dutch half, West Frisian heal, German halb, Swedish halv, Danish halv, Icelandic hálfur and Gothic 𐌷𐌰𐌻𐌱𐍃. Compare halve, behalf.

Full definition of half

Adjective

1. Consisting of a moiety, or half (1/2, 50%).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.a half dream; half knowledge
• Alfred Tennyson:Assumed from thence a half consent.
3. (of a sibling) Having one parent (rather than two) in common.A half brother or half sister
4. (rare, of a relative other than a sibling) Related through one common grandparent or ancestor rather than two.A half uncle or half aunt or half cousin
5. (UK, time) Half an hour after the time given; half past.We went to bed at half ten.

Usage notes

(consisting of a moiety, or half) The adjective and noun are often united to form a compound.

Synonyms

• (consisting of a moiety, or half) hemi-, semi-, demi-

Derived terms

Adverb

1. In two equal parts or to an equal degree; in some part approximating a half; partially; imperfectlyhalf-colored; half done; half-hearted; half persuaded; half conscious
• John Dryden:Half loth and half consenting.
• Nehemiah 13:24:Their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod.

Noun

1. 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.You don't know the half of it.
• unknown date, John Milton:Not half his riches known, and yet despised.
• unknown date, Alfred Tennyson:A friendship so complete Portioned in halves between us
1. (sports) One of the two opposite parts of the playing field of various sports, in which each starts the game.
• 2011, September 16, Ben Dirs, Rugby World Cup 2011: New Zealand 83-7 Japan, However, the hosts hit back and hit back hard, first replacement hooker Andrew Hore sliding over, then Williams careering out of his own half and leaving several defenders for dead before flipping the ball to Nonu to finish off a scintillating move.
2. Half of a standard measure; frequently used (British) for half a pint of beer or cider.
• 1968 (British), John Braine, The Crying Game, Houghton Mifflin, p. 11,He came back with a pint of Guinness for me and a half of bitter for Wendy.
• 1974 (British), James Herriot, All Things Bright and Beautiful, St. Martin's Press, ISBN 0312020309,I accepted a half of bitter from him.
• 2006 (British), Bill Appleton, Wide Boy, Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie, ISBN 1843862530, p. 168,I went to the bar where I bought a pint and two large brandies. ... "Not brandy," she replied, "but I could use a long drink - maybe a half of lager."
3. (preceded by “a” or a number) The fraction obtained by dividing 1 by 2.Three-quarters minus a quarter is a half.
4. (obsolete) part; side; behalf
• unknown date, Wyclif
• unknown date, Geoffrey Chaucer:The four halves of the house

Synonyms

• (fraction obtained by dividing 1 by 2) ½

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To halve.