half-moon

¹ American  

[haf-moon, hahf-] / ˈhæfˈmun, ˈhɑf- /

noun

1. the moon when, at either quadrature, half its disk is illuminated.

2. the phase of the moon at this time.

3. something having the shape of a half-moon or crescent.

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Half Moon ² American  

noun

1. the ship in which Henry Hudson made his voyage to explore America in 1609.

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half-moon British  

noun

1. the moon at first or last quarter when half its face is illuminated

2. the time at which a half-moon occurs

3. 1. something shaped like a half-moon

   2. ( as modifier )

      half-moon spectacles

4. anatomy a nontechnical name for lunula

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Etymology

Origin of half-moon

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Example Sentences

To this day, when the pool is drained, the hotel retouches the lines, refreshing Hockney’s iconic blue half-moon marks every year or so.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2025

Guests will be able to visit 10 wineries for tastings — some of which are offering additional attractions like an eclipse eve tarot card reading, special slushies and half-moon cookies.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2024

Speaking on a crisp Friday morning at a lodge of an Italian-American fraternal group in the Des Moines suburbs, she addressed a packed room of mostly older voters arranged around her in a half-moon.

From Slate • Jan. 14, 2024

The largest planet in the solar system will dominate the early evening sky on January 18, appearing beside a glowing half-moon.

From National Geographic • Dec. 6, 2023

Scooping him up, she walked slowly along the pathway past the lotus pond and crossed the half-moon bridge to the Matriarch’s quarters.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord

Related Words

• arc
• arch
• contour
• loop
• trajectory