in pronunciations below, | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷.|demē or ( usu not before vowels ) |demə̇ sometimes |deˌmī prefix
Etymology: Middle English, from demi, from Middle French, from Late Latin demedius, alteration (influenced by Latin medius ) of Latin dimidius, probably back-formation from dimidiare to halve — more at dimidiate
: half: as
a. : of less than full size
demi cannon
demi pike
: shortened
demi robe
— compare semi-
b. heraldry : having only one half depicted, usually the upper or foremost half but sometimes the dexter or the sinister half
demi angel
demi lion
c. : half in quantity or value
demi barrel
demi groat
d. : inferior in quality
demi luster
e. : one that partly belongs to (a specified type or class)
demi beast
demi deity
demi lawyer
f. : partial : incomplete
demi nudity
demi toilet