half-length

American  

[haf-lengkth, -length, -lenth, hahf-] / ˈhæfˌlɛŋkθ, -ˌlɛŋθ, -ˌlɛnθ, ˈhɑf- /

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 British  

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

Etymology

Origin of half-length

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

Then his stride got more powerful and he breezed to a half-length win.

From Los Angeles Times

And he more than proved it on Saturday as Journalism put forth a furious stretch drive to win in the second leg of the Triple Crown by a half-length.

From Los Angeles Times

There was a further half-length back to Grangeclare West in third.

From BBC

Big Evs came off the pace to win by a half-length.

From Los Angeles Times

While he lost his first three starts the following year, the last one was a half-length loss to eventual Kentucky Derby favorite Empire Builder in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York.

From Washington Times