Definition of "half" in Englisch

noun

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

   • I ate the smaller half of the apple.
   • You don’t know the half of it.
   • Of the passengers on the plane, half were English.
   • The cake was delicious: half was vanilla and half was chocolate.
   • Half (of) my friends live abroad.
   • I’ve bought some chocolate. You can have half.
   • One and a half miles equals a mile and a half.

2. Half of a standard measure, chiefly:

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

   • Three-quarters minus a quarter is a half.

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

5. (slang) A half sibling.

6. (UK, dated) A child ticket. Two and a half to Paddington.

7. (sports) abbreviated form for half marathon.

8. (numismatic slang) Clipping of half-dollar.

adjective

1. Consisting of a half (½, 50%).

   • a half kilo
   • a half hour
   • a half dollar

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

   • a half truth

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

   • A half brother or half sister

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

   • A half uncle or half aunt or half cousin

adverb

1. In two equal parts or to an equal degree.

2. In some part approximating a half.

3. Partially; imperfectly.

   • half-colored
   • half done
   • half persuaded
   • half conscious
   • He does sometimes half wish to change his life, but it is too difficult.

4. Practically, nearly.

verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To halve.

preposition

1. (UK, Ireland) Half past; a half-hour (30 minutes) after the last hour.

   • The time is 9:30; it is half nine.