half-length
[haf-lengkth, -length, -lenth, hahf-]
- 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.
Show More
- of half the complete length or height.
Show More
Origin of half-length
First recorded in 1690–1700
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for half-length
Historical Examples
He had cut the fuse to half-length, and he had not long to wait.
The White MiceRichard Harding Davis
The two men regarded each other across the half-length of the room.
The Sleuth of St. James's SquareMelville Davisson Post
The girls wore long skirts and the boy had half-length pants.
The Narrow HouseEvelyn Scott
She was then painting his picture, a half-length, of which she also made an etching.
The second was also a half-length, and belonged to his son Carl Philip Emanuel.
BachCharles Francis Abdy Williams
half-length
- (of a portrait) showing only the body from the waist up and including the hands
- of half the entire or original length
Show More
- a half-length portrait
Show More
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