half-moon

¹

[haf-moon, hahf-]

noun

1. the moon when, at either quadrature, half its disk is illuminated.

2. the phase of the moon at this time.

3. something having the shape of a half-moon or crescent.

Half Moon

²

noun

1. the ship in which Henry Hudson made his voyage to explore America in 1609.

half-moon

noun

1. the moon at first or last quarter when half its face is illuminated

2. the time at which a half-moon occurs

3. 1. something shaped like a half-moon

   2. ( as modifier )

      half-moon spectacles

4. anatomy a nontechnical name for lunula

Word History and Origins

Origin of half-moon¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Related Words

• arc 
• arch 
• contour 
• loop 
• trajectory