half-length

[haf-lengkth, -length, -lenth, hahf-]

noun

1. something that is only half a full length or height, especially a portrait that shows only the upper half of the body, including the hands.

adjective

1. of half the complete length or height.

half-length

adjective

1. (of a portrait) showing only the body from the waist up and including the hands

2. of half the entire or original length

noun

1. a half-length portrait

Word History and Origins

Origin of half-length¹

First recorded in 1690–1700