hemi

¹ American  

[hem-ee] / ˈhɛm i /

noun

Automotive.

1. an internal-combustion engine having hemispherical combustion chambers.

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hemi- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “half,” used in the formation of compound words.

   hemimorphic.

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hemi- British  

prefix

1. half Compare demi- semi-

   hemicycle

   hemisphere

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hemi– Scientific  

1. A prefix meaning “half,” as in hemisphere, half a sphere.

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Usage

What does hemi- mean? Hemi- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “half.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in pathology and anatomy. Hemi- comes from Greek hēmi-, meaning “half.” The Latin cognate of hēmi- is sēmi-, also meaning “half,” which is the source of English terms such as semicircle and semimonthly. To learn more, check out our entries for both words.

Etymology

Origin of hemi¹

Shortening of hemi-head

Origin of hemi-²

< Greek hēmi- half; cognate with Latin sēmi- semi-

Example Sentences

He also constructed a “Road Warrior” cruiser, on a Jeep chassis and dropped in a hemi engine.

From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2021

The guy who won the unlimited fuel class drove a massive machine powered by four blown hemi V-8’s making in excess of 3,000 horsepower.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2019

A 1956 New Yorker with a hemi engine in it.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 25, 2018

An abandoned hemi was nothing compared to that.

From Slate • May 29, 2018

In brachy and hemi the aecidiospores are absent, the mycelium from the sporidia giving origin directly to the uredospores; the former possess spermatia, in the latter they are absent.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various