Better half

Better half
Half Half (h[aum]f), n.; pl. {Halves} (h[aum]vz). [AS. healf. See {Half}, a.] 1. Part; side; behalf. [Obs.] --Wyclif. [1913 Webster]

The four halves of the house. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2. One of two equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided; -- sometimes followed by of; as, a half of an apple. [1913 Webster]

Not half his riches known, and yet despised. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

A friendship so complete Portioned in halves between us. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

{Better half}. See under {Better}.

{In half}, in two; an expression sometimes used improperly instead of {in halves} or {into halves}; as, to cut in half. [Colloq.] --Dickens.

{In one's half} or {On one's half}, in one's behalf; on one's part. [Obs.]

{To cry halves}, to claim an equal share with another.

{To go halves}, to share equally between two. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Better half — Better Bet ter, a.; compar. of Good. [OE. betere, bettre, and as adv. bet, AS. betera, adj., and bet, adv.; akin to Icel. betri, adj., betr, adv., Goth. batiza, adj., OHG. bezziro, adj., baz, adv., G. besser, adj. and adv., bass, adv., E. boot,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • better half — (plural ,better halves) noun someone s better half HUMOROUS someone s husband, wife, or partner: I ll have to ask my better half …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • better half — Your better half is your husband or wife …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • better half — ► NOUN informal ▪ a person s spouse or partner …   English terms dictionary

  • better half — n. one s spouse; esp., one s wife: a humorous usage …   English World dictionary

  • better half — UK / US noun Word forms better half : singular better half plural better halves someone s better half …   English dictionary

  • better half — noun a person s partner in marriage • Syn: ↑spouse, ↑partner, ↑married person, ↑mate • Derivationally related forms: ↑mate (for: ↑mate), ↑spousal …   Useful english dictionary

  • better half — noun a) A persons spouse or lover, most commonly a mans wife. Generally a compliment or sign of respect. Id like you to meet my better half Linda. b) A persons close friend or companion …   Wiktionary

  • better half — n. one’s wife, and occasionally, one’s husband. □ My better half disapproved of the movie. □ I gotta go home to my better half …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • better half — {n.}, {informal} One s marriage partner (mostly said by men about their wives.) * / This is my better half, Mary, said Joe./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

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