demi-

Etymology

From Middle English demi (“half, half-sized, partial”), from Anglo-Norman demi (“half”), from Vulgar Latin *dimedius, from Latin dīmidius, from dis- (“apart; in two”) + medius (“middle”).

Prefix

demi-

1. partial

   Synonym: semi-

   Antonym: holo-

2. half

   Synonyms: half-, hemi-, semi-

   Antonym: holo-

3. (heraldry) Only the upper or front half of
   • 1885, E. J. Guthrie, Old Scottish Customs, page 84:

     The Barony of Pennicuik, the property of Sir George Clerk, Bart., is held by the following singular tenure: The proprietor is bound to sit upon a large rock, called the Buckstone, and wind three blasts of a horn when the king comes to hunt on the Borough Moor near Edinburgh. On account of this singular custom the family have adopted as their crest a demi-forester proper, winding a horn with the motto, Free for a blast.

Anagrams

• Diem, Dime, IMed, dime, idem, meid

Etymology

See demi.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /də.mi/

• Audio (Canada):

  (file)

• Homophone: demi

Prefix

demi-

1. semi-, demi-, half-