demi-

a combining form appearing in loanwords from French meaning “half” (demilune), “lesser” (demitasse), or sometimes used with a pejorative sense (demimonde); on this model, also prefixed to words of English origin (demigod).

Origin of demi-

< French, combining form representing demi (adj.; also noun and adv.) < Vulgar Latin *dīmedius, for Latin dīmidius half, equivalent to dī- di-2 + medius middle

Words nearby demi-

demesne, demeter, demeton, demetrias, demetrius i, demi-, demi-cannon, demi-culverin, demi-détourné, demi-hunter, demi-pension

British Dictionary definitions for demi-

demi-

prefix

half demirelief Compare hemi-, semi- (def. 1)
of less than full size, status, or rank demigod

Word Origin for demi-

via French from Medieval Latin dīmedius, from Latin dīmīdius half, from dis- apart + medius middle

Medical definitions for demi-

demi-

pref.

Half:demilune.