half: Meaning and Definition of

half

Pronunciation: (haf, häf), [key]
— n., pl. adj., adv. halves
—n.
  1. one of two equal or approximately equal parts of a divisible whole, as an object, or unit of measure or time; a part of a whole equal or almost equal to the remainder.
  2. a quantity or amount equal to such a part ().
  3. either of two equal periods of play, usually with an intermission or rest period separating them. Cf. quarter (def. 10).
  4. one of two; a part of a pair.
  5. Four dimes and two nickels make a half.
    1. Seehalf dollar.
    2. the sum of 50 cents:Four dimes and two nickels make a half.
  6. either of the two units of play into which an inning is divided, the visiting team batting in the first unit and the home team batting in the second.
  7. a halfback.
  8. He ordered a half of ale.
    1. a half-crown coin.
    2. the sum of a half crown; two shillings, sixpence.
    3. a half pint:He ordered a half of ale.
  9. a significant yet relatively minor part of something that remains to be described in full: He accused them of being responsible for the error, and that's not the half of the story.
—adj.
  1. being one of two equal or approximately equal parts of a divisible whole: a half quart.
  2. being half or about half of anything in degree, amount, length, etc.: at half speed; half sleeve.
  3. partial or incomplete: half measures.
—adv.
  1. in or to the extent or measure of half.
  2. in part; partly; incompletely: half understood.
  3. to some extent; almost: half recovered.
  4. by very much; by far: She was too talented by half for her routine role.
  5. as much as 50 percent more: This mug holds half again as much coffee as the smaller one.
  6. . in or into two parts; in half: Cut the cake half in two.
  7. divided into halves: The vase broke in half.
  8. His first attempts at painting are not half bad.
    1. not at all; not really:His first attempts at painting are not half bad.
    2. Seehalf(def. 9).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: