semi

[ sem-ee, sem-ahy ]
/ ˈsɛm i, ˈsɛm aɪ /

noun Informal.

Origin of semi

by shortening

Definition for semi (2 of 2)

semi-

a combining form borrowed from Latin, meaning “half,” freely prefixed to English words of any origin, now sometimes with the senses “partially,” “incompletely,” “somewhat”: semiautomatic; semidetached; semimonthly; semisophisticated.

Origin of semi-

Middle English < Latin sēmi-; cognate with Old English sōm-, sām- half (modern dial. sam-), Old High German sāmi-, Sanskrit sāmi-, Greek hēmi-; cf. sesqui-

usage note for semi-

See bi-1.

Example sentences from the Web for semi

British Dictionary definitions for semi (1 of 2)

semi
/ (ˈsɛmɪ) /

noun plural semis

British a semidetached house
short for semifinal
US, Canadian, Australian and NZ short for semitrailer

British Dictionary definitions for semi (2 of 2)

semi-

prefix

half semicircle Compare demi- (def. 1), hemi-
partially, partly, not completely, or almost semiprofessional; semifinal
occurring twice in a specified period of time semiannual; semiweekly

Word Origin for semi-

from Latin; compare Old English sōm-, sām- half, Greek hēmi-

Medical definitions for semi

semi-

pref.

Half:semicanal.
Partial; partially:semiconscious.
Resembling or having some of the characteristics of:semilunar.

Scientific definitions for semi

semi-

A prefix that means “half,” (as in semicircle, half a circle) or “partly, somewhat, less than fully,” (as in semiconscious, partly conscious).