Adjacent Words

semi- definitions

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Merriam Webster's

prefix Etymology: Middle English, from Latin; akin to Old High German s?mi- half, Greek h?mi- 1. a. precisely half of: (1) forming a bisection of <semidiameter> (2) being a usually vertically bisected form of (a specified architectural feature) <semidome> b. half in quantity or value ; half of or occurring halfway through a specified period of time <semiannual> <semimonthly> — compare bi- 2. to some extent ; partly ; incompletely <semicivilized> <semi-independent> <semidry> — compare demi-, hemi- 3. a. partial ; incomplete <semiconsciousness> <semidarkness> b. having some of the characteristics of <semiporcelain> c. quasi- <semigovernmental> <semimonastic>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

prefix. 1 half (semicircle). 2 partly; in some degree or particular (semi-official; semi-detached). 3 almost (a semi-smile). 4 occurring or appearing twice in a specified period (semi-annual). Etymology: F, It., etc. or L, corresp. to Gk HEMI-, Skr. sami

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Semi- Sem"i- [L. semi; akin to Gr. ???, Skr. s[=a]mi-, AS. s[=a]m-, and prob. to E. same, from the division into two parts of the same size. Cf. Hemi-, Sandelend.] A prefix signifying half, and sometimes partly or imperfectly; as, semiannual, half yearly; semitransparent, imperfectly transparent. Note: The prefix semi is joined to another word either with the hyphen or without it. In this book the hyphen is omitted except before a capital letter; as, semiacid, semiaquatic, semi-Arian, semiaxis, semicalcareous.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Semi- combines with adjectives and nouns to form other adjectives and nouns that describe someone or something as being partly, but not completely, in a particular state. He found Isabel's room in semi-darkness. ...semi-skilled workers. PREFIX