half

noun pl. halves

1. 1. either of the two equal parts of something the top half of the sixth inning
   2. either of two approximately equal parts the larger half of a divided pie
2. 1. a half-hour half past one
   2. ☆ a half dollar
3. 1. ☆ Baseball either of the two parts of an inning the top half of the sixth inning
   2. Basketball, Football, etc. either of the two equal periods of the game, between which the players rest
   3. ☆ Football halfback

Etymology: ME < OE healf, part, half, akin to ON halfr, Ger halb < IE (s)kelep-, lit., divided < base *(s)kel-, to cut > scalp, skill, helm

adjective

1. 1. being either of the two equal parts
   2. being about a half of the amount, length, etc. a half mask covered his eyes
2. incomplete; fragmentary; partial

adverb

1. to an extent approximately or exactly fifty percent of the whole
2. 1. to some extent; partly to be half convinced
   2. to a large extent or degree; nearly: often used hyperbolically half dead with fatigue
3. by any means; at all: used with not not half bad