half

Definition

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

Etymology

From Middle English half, halfe from Old English healf (“half”); as a noun, 'half', 'side', 'part', from Proto-West Germanic *halb, from Proto-Germanic *halbaz. Cognates Cognate with Old Saxon, Old Frisian, and Old Dutch half, West Frisian heal, Dutch half, German halb, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian halv, Icelandic hálfur and Gothic 𐌷𐌰𐌻𐌱𐍃 (halbs). Compare halve, behalf.

Example Sentences

• "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."