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.

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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

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noun

1. a half-length portrait

Etymology

Origin of half-length

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

Final Boss, by far the longest shot in the field at 31-1, defeated favored El Potente by a half-length to post a $65.40 victory for trainer John Sadler.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

Although called a “Pietà,” it was not a depiction of Christ mourned by his intimates, but rather a “Man of Sorrows”—the dead Savior, half-length, with youthful angels—a timeless image designed for contemplation and meditation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

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

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2025

Big Evs kicked off the day’s five races for 2-year-olds with a half-length victory over Valiant Force in the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 3, 2023

He had now raised his prices to twenty-five, fifty, and one hundred guineas for the three classes of portraits,—head, half-length, and full-length, and his income from his work was thirty thousand dollars a year.

From Famous European Artists by Bolton, Sarah K.