Half \Half\ (h[aum]f), n.; pl. {Halves} (h[aum]vz). [AS. healf.
   See {Half}, a.]
   1. Part; side; behalf. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
      
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            The four halves of the house.         --Chaucer.
      
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   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.
      
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            Not half his riches known, and yet despised.
                                                  --Milton.
      
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            A friendship so complete
            Portioned in halves between us.       --Tennyson.
      
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   {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 ones half} or {On ones 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.
      
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Halves \Halves\ (h[aum]vz), n.,
   pl. of {Half}.
   
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   {By halves}, by one half at once; halfway; fragmentarily;
      partially; incompletely.
      
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            I can not believe by halves; either I have faith, or
            I have it not.                        --J. H.
                                                  Newman.
      
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   {To go halves}. See under {Go}.
      
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half
     adj 1: consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or
            quantity; "a half chicken"; "lasted a half hour" [syn:
             {half(a)}]
     2: partial; "gave me a half smile"; "he did only a half job"
        [syn: {half(a)}]
     3: (of siblings) related through one parent only; "a half
        brother"; "half sister" [ant: {whole}]
     n 1: one of two equal parts of a divisible whole; "half a loaf";
          "half an hour"; "a century and one half" [syn: {one-half}]
     2: in various games or performances: either of two periods of
        play separated by an interval
     adv : partially or to the extent of a half; "he was half hidden by
           the bushes"
     [also: {halves} (pl)]

halves
     See {half}