half-light

American  

[haf-lahyt, hahf-] / ˈhæfˌlaɪt, ˈhɑf- /

noun

1. light that is about half its customary brightness, or that is partially dimmed or obscured.

   the half-light of early dawn; a room in half-light.

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half-light British  

noun

1. a dim light, as at dawn or dusk

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Etymology

Origin of half-light

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

half-light

It was impossible to tell what was happening just offshore in the half-light.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2024

In “Resurrection,” Rebecca Hall speaks for seven minutes, in the hushed half-light of an office after hours, to an intern she has been mentoring.

From New York Times ● Jan. 4, 2023

Somaliland’s half-light existence as an unrecognized state has complicated its pandemic response.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 28, 2022

He has returned to better understand his son, who left his home state of Kentucky as a young man for a life his family could never fathom and conveniently kept in a half-light.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2019

He was looking past the rim of half-light that came from the cabin window and pushed back the darkness in a circle that lost itself around the ends of the cabin.

From "Sounder" by William H. Armstrong

Related Words

• dusk
• sunset