HALF

I. noun (plural halves) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English healf; akin to Old High German halb ~ Date: before 12th century 1. either of two equal parts that compose something, ~ an hour, one of a pair: as, partner , semester , term , either of the two equal periods that together make up the playing time of some games (as football), ~-dollar , ~back , II. adjective Date: before 12th century 1. being one of two equal parts , b. amounting to approximately ~ , falling short of the full or complete thing ; partial , extending over or covering only ~ , ~ness noun III. adverb Date: 12th century 1. in an equal part or degree , not completely ; partially , by any means ; at all