Note: The adjective and noun are often united to form a
compound.
2. Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half;
approximately a half, whether more or less; partial;
imperfect; as, a half dream; half knowledge.
Assumed from thence a half consent. --Tennyson.
{Half ape} (Zo["o]l.), a lemur.
{Half back}. (Football) See under 2d {Back}.
{Half bent}, the first notch, for the sear point to enter, in
the tumbler of a gunlock; the halfcock notch.
{Half binding}, a style of bookbinding in which only the back
and corners are in leather.
{Half boarder}, one who boards in part; specifically, a
scholar at a boarding school who takes dinner only.
{Half-breadth plan} (Shipbuilding), a horizontal plan of the
half a vessel, divided lengthwise, showing the lines.
{Half cadence} (Mus.), a cadence on the dominant.
{Half cap}, a slight salute with the cap. [Obs.] --Shak.
{A half cock}, the position of the cock of a gun when
retained by the first notch.
Their children spoke halfin the speech of Ashdod.
--Neh. xiii.
24
The four halves of the house. --Chaucer.
2. 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.
Not half his riches known, and yet despised.
--Milton.
A friendship so complete Portioned in halves between
us. --Tennyson.
{Better half}. See under {Better}.
{In half}, in two; an expression sometimes used improperly
instead of in or into halves; as, to cut in half.
[Colloq.] --Dickens.
{In, or On}, {one's half}, in one's behalf; on one's part.
[Obs.]
{To cry halves}, to claim an equal share with another.
{To go halves}, to share equally between two.