halve

[ hav, hahv ]

verb (used with object)

, halved, halv·ing.

1. to divide into two equal parts.
2. to share equally:

   to halve one's rations with a stranger.

3. to reduce to half.
4. Golf. to play (a hole, round, or match) in the same number of strokes as one's opponent.

halve

/ hɑːv /

verb

1. to divide into two approximately equal parts
2. to share equally
3. to reduce by half, as by cutting
4. golf to take the same number of strokes on (a hole or round) as one's opponent

Other Words From

• un·halved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of halve¹

1250–1300; Middle English halven, derivative of half

Word History and Origins

Origin of halve¹

Old English hielfan; related to Middle High German helben; see half

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. halve together, to join (two pieces of wood) by cutting from one, at the place of joining, a portion fitting to that left solid in the other.

Example Sentences

By the time the image was released last week, Tianwen-1 had halved the distance to Mars and is now preparing to enter orbit.

From Popular-Science

It halved the number of people who may gather in public spaces to five.

From Washington Post

This fall, Amtrak halved the Crescent’s daily service and that of its other long-distance routes to three trips a week, citing “the long-term impact of covid-19 on ridership.”

From Washington Post

Since the 1970s, extreme poverty has more than halved, and while the exact scope of the gains depends on how we measure them, there’s no disputing that people are living longer, healthier, safer lives than ever before.

From Vox

Pfizer and BioNTech have halved their original estimates for how many coronavirus vaccines would be shipped globally by the end of this year, citing supply-chain issues, the Wall Street Journal first reported.

From Axios

The company is shedding 5,400 of its 63,500 employees and taking a number of charges that will halve its quarterly profits.

From The Daily Beast

Halve that again, just because the numbers seem so absurd, and vampires are worth $62.5 million each October.

From The Daily Beast

Halve nice peaches, peel them, and put one half on a round of sponge cake for each person.

From Project Gutenberg

In the ordinary way I was pretty certain to halve one of the nine holes with Henry, and so win the match.

From Project Gutenberg

You may not care to halve it, Mary, perhaps halving would be too much, but a hundred a year for Teresa.

From Project Gutenberg

I became used to her in time, and knowing she would halve whatever I said, used to demand double the worth of the thing.

From Project Gutenberg

Beard the oysters and scallops; halve or quarter them; pack them in scallop-shells or small tins.

From Project Gutenberg