half-staff

[ haf-staf, hahf-stahf ]

/ ˈhæfˈstæf, ˈhɑfˈstɑf /

noun, verb (used with object)

QUIZZES

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PUNCTUATION QUIZ

Punctuation marks help make writing easy to read and understand. Some of the most important ones are the period (.), comma (,), question mark (?), and exclamation point (!). How well do you know how to use them? Find out in this quiz!

Question 1 of 10

Which punctuation mark is best for this sentence? "Can I watch a movie __"

comma (,)

period (.)

question mark (?)

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of half-staff

First recorded in 1595–1605

Words nearby half-staff

half-sister, half-size, half-slip, half-smile, half-sole, half-staff, half-starved, half-step, half-stuff, half-tide, half-timbered

Example sentences from the Web for half-staff

But to me, you see, it meant also that my son was being buried under a flag that was at half-staff too.
Oswald’s Mother Was a Thoroughly Disagreeable Piece of Work|Steve North|November 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The flag this morning flies at half-staff in front of Engine Company 224 in Brooklyn.
With the Fireman of Brooklyn’s Company 224 as They Observe the Fallen|Maurice Emerson Decaul|September 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The national flag will be displayed at half-staff during the same time.
A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents: Tyler|Compiled by James D. Richardson
The national flag will be displayed at half-staff from the time of the receipt of this order until the close of the funeral.
A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Volume IX.|Benjamin Harrison

In raising a flag to half-mast or half-staff, it should be run to the top of the pole, and then lowered the width of the flag.
The Little Book of the Flag|Eva March Tappan