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by halves

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halves

  [havz, hahvz]
Use by halves in a Sentence
–noun
1. pl. of half.
—Idioms
2. by halves,
a. incompletely or partially: to do things by halves.
b. halfheartedly: better not at all than by halves.
3. go halves, to share equally; divide evenly.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To by halves
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half   (hāf, häf)   
n.   pl. halves (hāvz, hävz)

    1. One of two equal parts that together constitute a whole.

    2. One part approximately equal to the remaining part.

    3. One of the two playing periods into which certain games are divided.

    4. A halfback.

  2. Informal A 50-cent piece.

  3. Sports

    1. One of the two playing periods into which certain games are divided.

    2. A halfback.

  4. Chiefly British A school term; a semester.

  5. Half an hour: a half past one.

adj.  

    1. Being one of two equal parts.

    2. Being approximately a half.

  2. Partial or incomplete: gave me a half smile.

adv.  

  1. To the extent of exactly or nearly 50 percent: The tank is half empty.

  2. Not completely or sufficiently; partly: only half right.


[Middle English, from Old English healf; see skel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

by halves

Imperfectly, reluctantly, or half-heartedly, as in You really can't paint a portrait by halves. [Mid-1500s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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