Frame\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Framed; p. pr. & vb. n. Framing.] [OE. framen, fremen, to execute, build, AS. fremman to further, perform, effect, fr. fram strong, valiant; akin to E. foremost, and prob. to AS. fram from, Icel. fremja, frama, to further, framr forward, G. fromm worthy, excellent, pious. See Foremost, From, and cf. Furnish.]1. (Arch. & Engin.) To construct by fitting and uniting the several parts of the skeleton of any structure; specifically, in woodwork, to put together by cutting parts of one member to fit parts of another. See Dovetail, Halve, v. t., Miter, Tenon, Tooth, Tusk, Scarf, and Splice. 2. To originate; to plan; to devise; to contrive; to compose; in a bad sense, to invent or fabricate, as something false. How many excellent reasonings are framed in the mind of a man of wisdom and study in a length of years. --I. Watts. 3. To fit to something else, or for some specific end; to adjust; to regulate; to shape; to conform. And frame my face to all occasions. --Shak. We may in some measure frame our minds for the reception of happiness. --Landor. The human mind is framed to be influenced. --I. Taylor. 4. To cause; to bring about; to produce. [Obs.] Fear frames disorder, and disorder wounds. --Shak. 5. To support. [Obs. & R.] That on a staff his feeble steps did frame. --Spenser. 6. To provide with a frame, as a picture.
Half\ (h[aum]f), a. [AS. healf, half, half; as a noun, half, side, part; akin to OS., OFries., & D. half, G. halb, Sw. half, Dan. halv, Icel. h[=a]lfr, Goth. halbs. Cf. Halve, Behalf.]1. Consisting of a moiety, or half; as, a half bushel; a half hour; a half dollar; a half view. Note: The adjective and noun are often united to form a compound. 2. Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect; as, a half dream; half knowledge. Assumed from thence a half consent. --Tennyson. Half ape (Zo["o]l.), a lemur. Half back. (Football) See under 2d Back. Half bent, the first notch, for the sear point to enter, in the tumbler of a gunlock; the halfcock notch. Half binding, a style of bookbinding in which only the back and corners are in leather. Half boarder, one who boards in part; specifically, a scholar at a boarding school who takes dinner only. Half-breadth plan (Shipbuilding), a horizontal plan of the half a vessel, divided lengthwise, showing the lines. Half cadence (Mus.), a cadence on the dominant. Half cap, a slight salute with the cap. [Obs.] --Shak. A half cock, the position of the cock of a gun when retained by the first notch. Half hitch, a sailor's knot in a rope; half of a clove hitch. Half hose, short stockings; socks. Half measure, an imperfect or weak line of action. Half note (Mus.), a minim, one half of a semibreve. Half pay, half of the wages or salary; reduced pay; as, an officer on half pay. Half price, half the ordinary price; or a price much reduced. Half round. (a) (Arch.) A molding of semicircular section. (b) (Mech.) Having one side flat and the other rounded; -- said of a file. Half shift (Mus.), a position of the hand, between the open position and the first shift, in playing on the violin and kindred instruments. See Shift. Half step (Mus.), a semitone; the smallest difference of pitch or interval, used in music. Half tide, the time or state of the tide equally distant from ebb and flood. Half time, half the ordinary time for work or attendance; as, the half-time system. Half tint (Fine Arts), a middle or intermediate tint, as in drawing or painting. See Demitint. Half truth, a statement only partially true, or which gives only a part of the truth. --Mrs. Browning. Half year, the space of six months; one term of a school when there are two terms in a year.