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• half title
  half title

  noun

  the first printed page of certain books, appearing after the end papers and before the title page and containing only the title of the book.
• half-title
  half-title

  noun

  the short title of a book as printed on the right-hand page preceding the title page

half title

American  

[haf tahyt-l] / ˈhæf ˌtaɪt l /

noun

1. Also called bastard title.  the first printed page of certain books, appearing after the end papers and before the title page and containing only the title of the book.

2. the title of any subdivision of a book when printed on a full page by itself.

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half-title British  

noun

1. the short title of a book as printed on the right-hand page preceding the title page

2. a title on a separate page preceding a section of a book

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Etymology

Origin of half title

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

half title half-title

The schedule for Potomac is still being decided, based on the winner of the second half title.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 1, 2011

Abbreviated, as the half title in a page preceding the full title page of a book.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

Small quarto, various bindings, uncut; half title, portrait, title, pp.

From The Bibliography of Walt Whitman by Shay, Frank

Not only do these grosser defects reduce the value, but it sometimes happens that the mere absence of a half title, or advertising leaves, or even the flyleaves, will make a considerable difference.

From The Building of a Book A Series of Practical Articles Written by Experts in the Various Departments of Book Making and Distributing by Hitchcock, Frederick H.

“Claire Lenoir,” termed on the half-title as “The Mysterious Case of the Discreet and Scientific Woman Claire Lenoir,” is a story of the possibility of reanimation through love.

From New York Times ● Sep. 5, 2019

First edition, with engraving by G. Van der Gucht on the verso of the half-title.

From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various

First edition in book form.   Originally published in Blackwood's Magazine On the half-title is the inscription, "To my old & much valued friend G. Hamilton Seymour fr the author C. L."

From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 2 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various

On the half-title is the inscription, "Presented by the Author to William Smith, Aberdeen, 10th March 1791."

From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 3 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various

There was no half-title to this folio, let collectors take notice.

From Aspects and Impressions by Gosse, Edmund