demi-

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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).

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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-

demesne, Demeter, demeton, Demetrias, Demetrius I, demi-, demibastion, demi-cannon, demicanton, demi-culverin, demi-détourné

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

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|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|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|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|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|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

halfdemirelief Compare hemi-, semi- (def. 1)

of less than full size, status, or rankdemigod

Word Origin for 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

Medical definitions for demi-

demi-

pref.

Half:demilune.