Background for half

half

/hɑːf/

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noun

One of two usually roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided.

Examples :

"I ate the slightly smaller half of the apple."

part number amount essential

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noun

Half of a standard measure; frequently used for half a pint of beer or cider.

Examples :

"He ordered a half of cider with his dinner. "

drink amount number essential

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noun

(preceded by “a” or a number) The fraction obtained by dividing 1 by 2.

Examples :

"Three-quarters minus a quarter is a half."

number math amount essential

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noun

Part; side; behalf.

Examples :

"My half of the project is due next week. "

part amount essential

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noun

Any of the three terms at Eton College, for Michaelmas, Lent, and summer.

Examples :

"My brother is in his first half at Eton College, studying for the Michaelmas term. "

education time organization essential

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noun

A half sibling.

Examples :

"My classmate is my half-sister; we have the same mother but different fathers. "

family essential

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noun

A child ticket.

Examples :

"My daughter bought a half for the school play. "

entertainment business essential

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verb

Examples :

"To make the project manageable, we need to half the amount of tasks. "

amount number essential

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adjective

Consisting of a half (1/2, 50%).

Examples :

"a half bushel; a half hour; a half dollar; a half view"

number amount part essential

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adjective

Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect.

Examples :

"a half dream; half knowledge"

part amount number essential

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adjective

(of a sibling) Having one parent (rather than two) in common.

Examples :

"My half-sister attends the same school as me, but we only share one parent. "

family essential

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adjective

(rare, of a relative other than a sibling) Related through one common grandparent or ancestor rather than two.

Examples :

"My cousin on my mother's side is half-sister to my friend, as they share one common grandparent. "

family essential

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adverb

In two equal parts or to an equal degree.

Examples :

"The students divided the pizza in half. "

amount number part essential

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adverb

In some part approximating a half.

Examples :

"The store was half-empty after the sale; only a few items remained. "

part amount number essential

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adverb

Partially; imperfectly.

Examples :

"He does sometimes half wish to change his life, but it is too difficult."

part amount essential

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preposition

A half-hour after, thirty minutes after (used with the number of the hour).

Examples :

"half one"

time number language essential