half
1. half \'haf, 'ha.f\ \'havz, 'ha.vz\ n or halves [ME, fr. OE healf; akin
to L scalpere to cut, OE sciell shell] pl 1a: one of two equal parts into
which a thing is divisible; also : a part of a thing approximately equal
to the remainder 1b: half an hour - used in designation of time 2: one of
a pair : as 2a: PARTNER 2b: SEMESTER, TERM 2c1: one of the two playing
periods usu. sepatated by an interval that toge ther make up the playing
time of various games 2c2: the turn of one team to bat in baseball 3:
HALF-DOLLAR 4: HALFBACK : by a great deal : in part : HALFHEARTEDLY :
into two equal or nearly equal parts - by half
2. half aj 1a: being one of two equal parts {a ~ share} 1b1: amounting to
nearly half 1b2: PARTIAL, IMPERFECT {~ measures} 2: extending or covering
only half {a ~ window} - half.ness n
3. half av 1a: in an equal part or degree 1b: not completely : IMPERFECTLY
{~ persuaded} 2: - used with a negative to imply the opposite of what is
expressed { her singing isn't ~ bad}