demi-

a combining form appearing in loanwords from French meaning “half” (demilune), “lesser” (demitasse), or sometimes used with a pejorative sense (demimonde); on this model, also prefixed to words of English origin (demigod).

Origin of demi-

<French, combining form representing demi (adj.; also noun and adv.) <Vulgar Latin *dīmedius, for Latin dīmidius half, equivalent to dī-di-² + medius middle

Words Nearby demi-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use demi- in a sentence

Extra dry, for example, is actually sweeter than brut, which is drier than demi-sec, which is somewhat sweet.
Champagne: You’re Drinking It All Wrong | Kayleigh Kulp | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Other targets of this critical mauling include Madonna, Sharon Osborne, and Demi Moore.
Nicole Kidman Botox Insanity: Why All Women Lose Out When We Obsess Over Stars’ Faces | Emma Woolf | May 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But, the Yahwist describes the Nephilim as “heroes that were of old, warriors of renown,” not as gods or even demi-gods.
The Backstory of ‘Noah’ Is Full of Giants, Horny Angels, and a Grieving God | Tim Townsend | March 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Even Demi Lovato appeared to support Jonas and respect his honesty.
How Likable Is Alec Baldwin After His ‘New York Magazine’ Confessional? | Amy Zimmerman | February 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Gomez voluntarily spent two weeks in rehab last month, and Demi sticks up for bestie Selena as she works out her emotional life.
Inside Philip Seymour Hoffman's Funeral; 'Lego Movie' Is Really Good | Culture Team | February 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

They surround themselves with the atmosphere of the demi-monde and forget that a wrinkle is as fatal as a chaperon.
Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
The author of Peace and War seemed to him, in his own words, not so much an ordinary mortal as a demi-god.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste Tchaikovsky
It breathed kind affection, with one or two demi-maternal cautions about his health, and to be very prudent for her sake.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend | Charles Reade
The four cardinal points are so many demi-gods, of whom the West, called Kabeun, has priority of age.
The Indian in his Wigwam | Henry R. Schoolcraft
It hadn't been anywhere near as simple as the Investiture he had gone through to become a demi-God.
Pagan Passions | Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for demi-

demi-

prefix

half: demirelief Compare hemi-, semi- (def. 1)
of less than full size, status, or rank: demigod

Origin of demi-

via French from Medieval Latin dīmedius, from Latin dīmīdius half, from dis- apart + medius middle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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