better half

Definition

A person's spouse or lover, most commonly a man's wife.

Etymology

Ultimately from such Latin poetic phrases as animae dīmidium meae (“half of my soul”) (Horace writing about Virgil), when it instead referred to a close friend (compare soulmate). First written instance of it meaning “spouse” was in 1580 by Sir Philip Sidney.

Example Sentences

• "But with that Argalus came out of his swoon, […], it seemed a little cheerful blood came up to his cheeks, like a burning coal, almost dead, if some breath a little revive it: and forcing up, the best he could, his feeble voice, “My dear, my better half,” said he, “I find I must now leave thee: and by that sweet hand, and fair eyes of thine I swear that death brings nothing with it to grieve me but that I must leave thee, […]"
• "Quickly gentlemen, we got about fifteen minutes before Jimmie's better-half comes pulling into the driveway."
• "Private life then, just to flesh out David Brent the man. Is there a better half?"