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).
Nearby words
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
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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
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Word Origin and History for demi-
demi-
word-forming element meaning "half, half-sized, partial," early 15c., from Old French demi "half" (12c.), from Late Latin dimedius, from Latin dimidius "half, one-half," which contains the elements dis- "apart" (see dis-) + medius "middle" (see medial).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for demi-
demi-
pref.
Half:demilune.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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