half

half
half O.E. half, halb (Mercian), healf (W. Saxon) "side, part," not necessarily of equal division (original sense preserved in behalf), noun, adjective, and adverb all in O.E., from P.Gmc. *khalbas "something divided" (Cf. O.S. halba, O.N. halfr, O.Fris., M.Du. half, Ger. halb, Goth. halbs "half"), perhaps from PIE (s)kel- "to cut." Used also in O.E. phrases as in modern German, to mean "one half unit less than," e.g. þridda healf "two and a half," lit. "half third." The construction in two and a half, etc., is first recorded c.1200. Of time, in half past ten, etc., first attested 1750; in Scottish, the half often is prefixed to the following hour, as in German (e.g. halb elf "ten thirty"). To go off half-cocked "speak or act too hastily" (1833) is in allusion to firearms going off prematurely.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Half — (h[aum]f), a. [AS. healf, half, half; as a noun, half, side, part; akin to OS., OFries., & D. half, G. halb, Sw. half, Dan. halv, Icel. h[=a]lfr, Goth. halbs. Cf. {Halve}, {Behalf}.] 1. Consisting of a moiety, or half; as, a half bushel; a half… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Half — (h[aum]f), n.; pl. {Halves} (h[aum]vz). [AS. healf. See {Half}, a.] 1. Part; side; behalf. [Obs.] Wyclif. [1913 Webster] The four halves of the house. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. One of two equal parts into which anything may be divided, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Half — Half, adv. 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. Half loth and half consenting. Dryden. [1913 Webster] Their children… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Half — Half, v. t. To halve. [Obs.] See {Halve}. Sir H. Wotton. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • half — I. noun (plural halves) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English healf; akin to Old High German halb half Date: before 12th century 1. a. either of two equal parts that compose something; also a part approximately equal to one of these < half… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • half — See: GO HALVES, GO OFF HALF COCKED also GO OFF AT HALF COCK, IN HALF, SIX OF ONE AND HALF A DOZEN OF THE OTHER, TIME AND A HALF, TOO BY HALF …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • half — See: GO HALVES, GO OFF HALF COCKED also GO OFF AT HALF COCK, IN HALF, SIX OF ONE AND HALF A DOZEN OF THE OTHER, TIME AND A HALF, TOO BY HALF …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Half-Life 2 — Cover art showing the series protagonist, Gordon Freeman Developer(s) Valve Corporation …   Wikipedia

  • Half-Life (series) — Half Life series The series logo; lambda is a prominent symbol throughout Developers Valve Corporation Gearbox Software …   Wikipedia

  • Half-staff — or half mast describes a flag flying approximately halfway up a flagpole or ship s mast (though anywhere from one third to two thirds of the way up is acceptable, but see below). This is done in many countries as a symbol of respect, mourning, or …   Wikipedia

  • Half and half — refers to various beverages or liquid foods made of an equal parts mixture of two substances, including dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks. Dairy product In the United States, half and half is a very light cream typically used… …   Wikipedia

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