Half \Half\ (h[aum]f), a. [AS. healf, half, half; as a noun,
   half, side, part; akin to OS., OFries., & D. half, G. halb,
   Sw. half, Dan. halv, Icel. h[=a]lfr, Goth. halbs. Cf.
   {Halve}, {Behalf}.]
   1. Consisting of a moiety, or half; as, a half bushel; a half
      hour; a half dollar; a half view.
      
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   Note: The adjective and noun are often united to form a
         compound.
         
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   2. Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half;
      approximately a half, whether more or less; partial;
      imperfect; as, a half dream; half knowledge.
      
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            Assumed from thence a half consent.   --Tennyson.
      
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   {Half ape} (Zool.), a lemur.

   {Half back}. (Football) See under 2d {Back}.

   {Half bent}, the first notch, for the sear point to enter, in
      the tumbler of a gunlock; the halfcock notch.

   {Half binding}, a style of bookbinding in which only the back
      and corners are in leather.

   {Half boarder}, one who boards in part; specifically, a
      scholar at a boarding school who takes dinner only.

   {Half-breadth plan} (Shipbuilding), a horizontal plan of one
      half a vessel, divided lengthwise, showing the lines.

   {Half cadence} (Mus.), a cadence on the dominant.

   {Half cap}, a slight salute with the cap. [Obs.] --Shak.

   {At half cock}, the position of the cock of a gun when
      retained by the first notch.

   {Half hitch}, a sailor's knot in a rope; half of a clove
      hitch.

   {Half hose}, short stockings; socks.

   {Half measure}, an imperfect or weak line of action.

   {Half note} (Mus.), a minim, one half of a semibreve.

   {Half pay}, half of the wages or salary; reduced pay; as, an
      officer on half pay.

   {Half price}, half the ordinary price; or a price much
      reduced.

   {Half round}.
      (a) (Arch.) A molding of semicircular section.
      (b) (Mech.) Having one side flat and the other rounded; --
          said of a file.

   {Half shift} (Mus.), a position of the hand, between the open
      position and the first shift, in playing on the violin and
      kindred instruments. See {Shift}.

   {Half step} (Mus.), a semitone; the smallest difference of
      pitch or interval, used in music.

   {Half tide}, the time or state of the tide equally distant
      from ebb and flood.

   {Half time}, half the ordinary time for work or attendance;
      as, the half-time system.

   {Half tint} (Fine Arts), a middle or intermediate tint, as in
      drawing or painting. See {Demitint}.

   {Half truth}, a statement only partially true, or which gives
      only a part of the truth. --Mrs. Browning.

   {Half year}, the space of six months; one term of a school
      when there are two terms in a year.
      
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Back \Back\ (b[a^]k), n. [AS. b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., &
   LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn,
   OSlav. b[=e]g[u^] flight. Cf. {Bacon}.]
   1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending
      from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals,
      that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to
      such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish,
      or lobster.
      
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   2. An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge.
      
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            [The mountains] their broad bare backs upheave
            Into the clouds.                      --Milton.
      
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   3. The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the
      inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of
      the foot, the back of a hand rail.
      
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            Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this,
            Gave me your hands, the backs and palms to kiss.
                                                  --Donne.
      
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   4. The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of
      a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the
      back of a chimney.
      
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   5. The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which
      fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or
      not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill,
      or of a village.
      
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   6. The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its
      edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw.
      
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   7. A support or resource in reserve.
      
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            This project
            Should have a back or second, that might hold,
            If this should blast in proof.        --Shak.
      
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   8. (Naut.) The keel and keelson of a ship.
      
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   9. (Mining) The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a
      horizontal underground passage.
      
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   10. A garment for the back; hence, clothing. [Obs.]
       
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             A bak to walken inne by daylight.    --Chaucer.
       
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   {Behind ones back}, when one is absent; without one's
      knowledge; as, to ridicule a person behind his back.

   {Full back}, {Half back}, {Quarter back} (Football), players
      stationed behind those in the front line.

   {To be on ones back} or {To lie on ones back}, to be
      helpless.

   {To put ones back up} or {to get ones back up}, to assume
      an attitude of obstinate resistance (from the action of a
      cat when attacked). [Colloq.]

   {To see the back of}, to get rid of.

   {To turn the back}, to go away; to flee.

   {To turn the back on one}, to forsake or neglect him.
      
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