请输入您要查询的英文单词：

　

单词 semi-
释义

semi-prefix

Some degree of stress is always maintained on the first syllable of this prefix, though primary stress is most commonly retained by a subsequent element. Stress placement is determined by a range of factors, but noun forms are much more likely than other parts of speech to have primary stress on this prefix; see e.g. sense 2b(f).
Forms: Also Middle English–1600s semy-, Middle English–1500s seme-, 1500s–1600s semie-.
Etymology: representing Latin sēmi- (whence French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese semi- ) = Sanskrit sāmi- , Greek ἡμι- , Old High German sâmi- , Old Saxon sâm- , cognate with Old English sam- (see sam- prefix) < Indogerm. *sēmi-.
= half- comb. form; cf. demi- prefix, hemi- prefix.
Latin sēmi- (occasionally shortened to sēm- before a vowel, e.g. sēmanimis) is, esp. in post-classical Latin, compounded freely with adjectives and participles, less commonly with nouns; in med. and still more in modern Latin the prefix is extensively employed in technical terminology. The compounds of earliest date in English are: the adjectives semicircular adj. (1432–50), semi-mature adj. (c1440), semivif adj. (Piers Plowman) direct from Latin, and semi-bousy adj. (c1400); the nouns semicicle n. (c1440), semicope n. (Chaucer), semigod n. (1417), semi-soun n. (Chaucer). In the 16th–18th centuries, the number of permanent compounds was increased mainly by the accession of terms more or less technical (many of them adapted or imitated from Latin), such as semibreve n., semicircle n., semidiameter n., semilunar adj. and n., semi-Pelagian adj. and n., semivowel n. At the same time there was gradual enlargement of the scope of the prefix in the formation of general nonce-compounds, which became very frequent in the 19th cent., and of which it is possible to illustrate but a small proportion in the present article (branch I).
1. In general use.
a.
(a) Compounded with adjectives and participles, with the meaning ‘half, partly, partially, to some extent’. A few are used elliptically as nouns.From the early part of the 19th cent. it has been not uncommon to substitute ‘semi-…semi-…’ for ‘half-…half-…’ (half adv. Phrases 1); hence arise certain quasi-compounds that only occur in correlative pairs, as ‘semi-chemical semi-mechanical’.
semi-abstract adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈabstrakt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈæbˌstræk(t)/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌæbˈstræk(t)/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈæbˌstræk(t)/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌæbˈstræk(t)/
ΚΠ
1871 W. Bagehot in Fortn. Rev. 1 Aug. 158 A semi-abstract discussion of practical topics.
1974 K. Clark Another Part of Wood ii. 52 From behind the semi-abstract clouds there appeared the same sexy girls.
semi-aerial adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɛːrɪəl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɛriəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɛriəl/
ΚΠ
1816 Edinb. Rev. 27 464 Nature seems..to have afforded this level space for a semi-aerial dwelling.
semi-agriculturalised adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪaɡrᵻˈkʌltʃ(ə)rəlʌɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪaɡrᵻˈkʌltʃ(ə)rl̩ʌɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌæɡrəˈkəltʃ(ə)rəˌlaɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌæɡrəˈkəltʃ(ə)rəˌlaɪzd/
ΚΠ
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. I. xi. §3 The Semi-agriculturalised Indians.
semi-alpine adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈalpʌɪn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈælˌpaɪn/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈælˌpaɪn/
ΚΠ
1860 H. B. Tristram Great Sahara xxi. 354 It was a magnificent semi-alpine, semi-tropical scene.
semi-animal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈanᵻml/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈænəm(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈænəm(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes iv. 234 It is a country as yet without a soul; nothing developed in it but what is rude, external, semi-animal.
semi-articulate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɑːˈtɪkjᵿlət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɑrˈtɪkjələt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɑrˈtɪkjələt/
ΚΠ
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes i. 45 This Odin, in his rude semi-articulate way, had a word to speak.
semi-autobiographical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɔːtə(ʊ)bʌɪəˈɡrafᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɔdəˌbaɪəˈɡræfək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɔdoʊˌbaɪəˈɡræfək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɑdəˌbaɪəˈɡræfək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɑdoʊˌbaɪəˈɡræfək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɔdəˌbaɪəˈɡræfək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɔdoʊˌbaɪəˈɡræfək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɑdəˌbaɪəˈɡræfək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɑdoʊˌbaɪəˈɡræfək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1963 W. K. Rose in W. Lewis Lett. 558 René Harding, the uncompromising, semi-autobiographical hero of Self Condemned.
semi-autonomous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɔːˈtɒnəməs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɔˈtɑnəməs/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɑˈtɑnəməs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɔˈtɑnəməs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɑˈtɑnəməs/
ΚΠ
1926 J. M. Keynes End of Laissez-Faire iv. 41 I suggest, therefore, that progress lies in the growth and the recognition of semi-autonomous bodies within the State.
1974 tr. W. F. Wertheim Evol. & Revol. 371 This semi-autonomous activity by living beings..is increasingly determining the course of nature on earth.
semi-bald adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈbɔːld/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈbɔld/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈbɑld/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈbɔld/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈbɑld/
ΚΠ
1828 M. R. Mitford Our Village III. 63 A simpering semi-bald apothecary.
semi-blind adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈblʌɪnd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈblaɪnd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈblaɪnd/
ΚΠ
1822 T. Hood To Celia iv Once it happ'd that, semi-blind, He [Love] met thee on a summer day.
semi-blunt adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈblʌnt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈblənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈblənt/
ΚΠ
1869 G. Lawson Dis. Eye (1874) 74 Blows on the eye..with some blunt or semi-blunt instrument.
semi-cannibalic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkanᵻˈbalɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkænəˈbælɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkænəˈbælɪk/
ΚΠ
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxviii. 294 A semi-cannibalic leer.
semi-celestial adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsᵻˈlɛstɪəl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪsəˈlɛstʃəl/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪsəˈlɛstiəl/
,
/ˌsɛmisəˈlɛstʃəl/
,
/ˌsɛmisəˈlɛstiəl/
ΚΠ
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. vi. v. 329 How thou glitterest with a fallen, rebellious, yet still semi-celestial light.
semi-chemical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɛmᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɛmək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɛmək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1839 H. T. De la Beche Rep. Geol. Cornwall viii. 227 A semi-chemical, semi~mechanical origin.
semi-civilized adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɪvl̩ʌɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈsɪvᵻlʌɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɪvəˌlaɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɪvəˌlaɪzd/
ΚΠ
1847 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Peru II. iv. i. 86 Brought in contact with semi-civilised man.
semi-clerical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈklɛrᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈklɛrək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈklɛrək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby ii. 12 The second resolution..was moved by a grievous gentleman of semi-clerical appearance.
semi-collegiate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəˈliːdʒɪət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkəˈlidʒ(i)ət/
,
/ˌsɛmikəˈlidʒ(i)ət/
ΚΠ
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1551/1 His heart brought to Ludlow, & buried..in the semicollegiat parish church there.
semi-colonial adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəˈləʊnɪəl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkəˈloʊnjəl/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪkəˈloʊniəl/
,
/ˌsɛmikəˈloʊnjəl/
,
/ˌsɛmikəˈloʊniəl/
ΚΠ
1952 C. P. Blacker Eugenics: Galton & After 178 The countries of Asia are rapidly emerging from their colonial or semi-colonial status.
1974 tr. W. F. Wertheim Evol. & Revol. 67 The colonial or semi-colonial backyards which capitalism..was exploiting in such a way as to provoke strong popular counter-forces.
semi-combust adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəmˈbʌst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkəmˈbəst/
,
/ˌsɛmikəmˈbəst/
ΚΠ
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Semi-combust, (semi-combustus, L.) half-burned.
semi-comic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒmɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑmɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑmɪk/
ΚΠ
1818 Lady Morgan in Passages from Autobiogr. (1859) 172 He looked semi-tragic, semi-comic, like a mask with two sides.
semi-comical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒmᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑmək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑmək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist III. xlii. 121 A look of semi-comical woe.
semi-commercial adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəˈməːʃl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkəˈmərʃ(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmikəˈmərʃ(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1965 Math. in Biol. & Med. (Med. Res. Council) i. 7 A service for the collection and recording of this information is also being made available on a semi-commercial basis to any hospital in the United States.
semi-conscious adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒnʃəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑnʃəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑnʃəs/
ΚΠ
1839 T. De Quincey Sketches Life & Manners in Tait's Edinb. Mag. Sept. 573/2 This..semi-conscious feeling..taught them to feel the extremity of their danger.
1977 J. D. Douglas in J. D. Douglas & J. M. Johnson Existential Sociol. i. 22 Most of our experiences in everyday life are only semiconscious.
semi-conspicuous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkənˈspɪkjʊəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkənˈspɪkjəwəs/
,
/ˌsɛmikənˈspɪkjəwəs/
ΚΠ
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Semi-conspicuous, (semiconspicuus, L.) half or partly visible.
semi-cooperative adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəʊˈɒp(ə)rətɪv/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkoʊˈɑp(ə)rədɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkoʊˈɑp(ə)rədɪv/
ΚΠ
1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer (1891) 215 The semi-coöperative community at Rainbar.
semi-dark adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdɑːk/
,
/ˈsɛmɪdɑːk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdɑrk/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌdɑrk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdɑrk/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌdɑrk/
ΚΠ
1891 Internat. Ann. Anthonys Photogr. Bull. 130 A short semi-dark passage between the studio and dark room.
semi-darkened adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdɑːk(ə)nd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdɑrkənd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdɑrkənd/
ΚΠ
1937 Discovery Sept. 277/2 The comfort and interest with which the [television] pictures may be viewed in a semi-darkened room.
semi-delirious adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdᵻˈlɪrɪəs/
,
/ˌsɛmɪdᵻˈlɪərɪəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˈlɪriəs/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˈlɪriəs/
ΚΠ
1680 Sir T. Browne Let. 6 Sept. (1946) 181 Esquire Mildmay..a melancholy & semi-delirious person, yet fayre condition'd.
1975 M. Amis Dead Babies xiii. 67 His strangled shout had been a semi-delirious reply to Quentin's courtly knock.
semi-demented adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdᵻˈmɛntᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˈmɛn(t)əd/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪdiˈmɛn(t)əd/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˈmɛn(t)əd/
,
/ˌsɛmidiˈmɛn(t)əd/
ΚΠ
1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. 9 531 A semi-demented old epileptic patient.
semi-developed adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdᵻˈvɛləpt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˈvɛləpt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪdiˈvɛləpt/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˈvɛləpt/
,
/ˌsɛmidiˈvɛləpt/
ΚΠ
1864 F. C. Bowen Logic (1870) xi. 370 This half latent semi-developed state.
semi-diagrammatic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdʌɪəɡrəˈmatɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌdaɪəɡrəˈmædɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌdaɪəɡrəˈmædɪk/
ΚΠ
1881 Nature 24 Feb. 382/2 The coarse and semi-diagrammatic figures which..occupy a..place in the text-books of histology.
semi-domestic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdəˈmɛstɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˈmɛstɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˈmɛstɪk/
ΚΠ
1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species i. 25 Some semi-domestic breeds.
semi-domesticated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdəˈmɛstᵻkeɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˈmɛstəˌkeɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˈmɛstəˌkeɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1847 W. C. L. Martin Ox 6/2 The semi-domesticated buffalo.
semi-dormant adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdɔːm(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdɔrmənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdɔrmənt/
ΚΠ
1869 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Agric. 1868 276 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (40th Congr., 3rd Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc.) XV To maintain in the hive throughout the winter a uniform temperature, which will keep the bees in a continuous semi-dormant state.
semi-dramatic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdrəˈmatɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdrəˈmædɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmidrəˈmædɪk/
ΚΠ
1895 Pop. Sci. Monthly Aug. 444 The interests of the stage and the semi-dramatic music-hall.
semi-educated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɛdjᵿkeɪtᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈɛdʒᵿkeɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɛdʒəˌkeɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɛdʒəˌkeɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1942 E. Partridge Usage & Abusage 91/2 Conditional clauses have always caused trouble to the semi-educated and the demi-reflective.
1954 A. Koestler Invisible Writing iv. xxxiv. 371 There is a character in The Magic Mountain, the semi-educated Frau Stoehr, who is always trying to be refined.
semi-ethical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɛθᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɛθək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɛθək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1920 T. S. Eliot Sacred Wood 49 You see..how completely any semi-ethical criterion of ‘sublimity’ misses the mark.
semi-experimental adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪᵻkspɛrəˈmɛntl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪɪkˌspɛrəˈmɛn(t)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiɪkˌspɛrəˈmɛn(t)l/
ΚΠ
1943 V. Sackville-West Eagle & Dove ii. ix. 138 A semi-experimental perception of God, in very varying degrees of intensity and clarity.
semi-external adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪᵻkˈstəːnl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɛkˈstəːnl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪɪkˈstərn(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɛkˈstərn(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiɪkˈstərn(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɛkˈstərn(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1861 A. Beresford-Hope Eng. Cathedral of 19th Cent. v. 158 The narthex or semiexternal vestibule.
semi-fascist adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfaʃɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfæʃəst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfæʃəst/
ΚΠ
1938 H. Nicolson Diary 22 Aug. (1966) 356 Russia has no sympathy for the semi-fascist systems established in the Balkans.
a1974 R. Crossman Diaries (1977) III. 299 This semi-fascist reaction has been accompanied by a general lack of credibility in the whole establishment.
semi-fast adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfɑːst/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈfast/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfæst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfæst/
ΚΠ
1905 Westm. Gaz. 30 Sept. 9/1 The 9.13 from London Bridge was a semi-fast train to Brighton.
1956 Railway Mag. Feb. 113/2 When travelling from Cologne to Wiesbaden in a semi-fast, we left Cologne 20 min. late.
semi-fitting adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfɪtɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfɪdɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfɪdɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1897 Westm. Gaz. 8 July 3/2 The semi-fitting coat is more usual than the Eton form.
1930 Daily Express 8 Sept. 7/5 (advt.) Semi-fitting bodice, with belt forming waist-line.
semi-fixed adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfɪkst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfɪkst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfɪkst/
ΚΠ
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 796 Semifixed, said of a steam engine bolted to an iron foundation piece on which it may be moved intact.
1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 26 Jan. 66/2 Any kind of fixed or semi-fixed equipment..will be considered.
semi-forbidding adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪfəˈbɪdɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪfərˈbɪdɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌfɔrˈbɪdɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmifərˈbɪdɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌfɔrˈbɪdɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1872 W. D. Howells Their Wedding Journey ix Some semi-forbidding commissary of police.
semi-formal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfɔːml/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfɔrm(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfɔrm(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1906 E. Johnston Writing & Illuminating xv. 317 The writing approaches the stylographic... It may conveniently be termed Semi-formal.
1977 Stornoway Gaz. 27 Aug. 1/7 The possibility of formal or semi-formal competitions could not be discounted.
semi-Frenchified adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfrɛn(t)ʃᵻfʌɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfrɛntʃəˌfaɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfrɛntʃəˌfaɪd/
ΚΠ
1830 Edinb. Rev. 51 459 A flighty semi-Frenchified coquette.
semi-glorious adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɡlɔːrɪəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɡlɔriəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɡlɔriəs/
ΚΠ
1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus i. ii. 17 Like my ancestor Semiramis, A sort of semi-glorious human monster.
semi-governmental adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɡʌvnˈmɛntl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɡʌvəˈmɛntl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɡəvər(n)ˈmɛn(t)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɡəvər(n)ˈmɛn(t)l/
ΚΠ
1947 A. Koestler in Partisan Rev. 14 144 The unions become more and more absorbed into semigovernmental, managerial functions.
semi-human adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈhjuːmən/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈ(h)jumən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈ(h)jumən/
ΚΠ
1849 E. B. Eastwick Dry Leaves 29 A more miserable race of starved, or semi~human, beings I never beheld.
semi-humorous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈhjuːm(ə)rəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈhjumərəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈhjumərəs/
ΚΠ
1950 B. Russell Unpop. Ess. iv. 64 A rare moment of self-knowledge must have inspired the initial aphorism, which was made bearable to its author by its semi-humorous form.
semi-idiotic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪdɪˈɒtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɪdiˈɑdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɪdiˈɑdɪk/
ΚΠ
1859 R. F. Burton in Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 29 54 Study..seems to make these weak-brained races semi-idiotic.
semi-independent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪndᵻˈpɛnd(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɪndəˈpɛndənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɪndəˈpɛndənt/
ΚΠ
1861 R. D. in F. Galton Vacation Tourists & Trav. 1860 108 The semi-independent existence of Montenegro.
semi-insular adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɪnsjᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɪns(j)ələr/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɪns(j)ələr/
ΚΠ
1841 H. Miller Old Red Sandstone (1887) x. 206 Notwithstanding the advantages of its semi-insular situation, it was suffered to lie as an unclaimed common.
semi-intellectual adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪntəˈlɛktʃʊəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɪntəˈlɛktʃ(ᵿ)l/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɪntəˈlɛktjʊəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɪntəˈlɛktjᵿl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɪn(t)əˈlɛk(t)ʃ(əw)əl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɪn(t)əˈlɛk(t)ʃ(əw)əl/
ΚΠ
1921 F. S. Fitzgerald Let. 25 Aug. (1964) 148 I'm sick of the flabby semi-intellectual softness in which I flounder with my generation.
1957 J. Kerouac On the Road ii. xi. 176 In Frisco great eager crowds of young semi-intellectuals sat at his feet and listened to him.
semi-intelligent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪnˈtɛlᵻdʒ(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪᵻnˈtɛlədʒ(ə)nt/
,
/ˌsɛmiᵻnˈtɛlədʒ(ə)nt/
ΚΠ
1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick cxxvi. 578 Most mariners cherish a very superstitious feeling about seals, arising..from..the human look of their round heads and semi-intelligent faces.
semi-juridical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdʒᵿˈrɪdᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdʒəˈrɪdək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪdʒʊˈrɪdək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmidʒəˈrɪdək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmidʒʊˈrɪdək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1861 H. S. Maine Anc. Law iv. 95 The semi-juridical, semi-popular opinions which were fashionable in France.
semi-latent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈleɪt(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈleɪtnt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈleɪtnt/
ΚΠ
1871 J. Morley J. de Maistre in Crit. Misc. 128 There is a certain semi-latent quality of hardness lying at the bottom of De Maistre's style.
semi-legal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈliːɡl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈliɡ(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈliɡ(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1949 A. Koestler Promise & Fulfilm. i. viii. 90 Haganah had a kind of semi-legal status which varied according to the political constellation.
1979 Dædalus Winter 157 The strength of the ‘second’ or ‘parallel’ market within the economy—in reality an entire spectrum of legal, semilegal, and illegal markets.
semi-legendary adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈlɛdʒ(ə)nd(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlɛdʒənˌdɛri/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlɛdʒənˌdɛri/
ΚΠ
1878 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. (ed. 2) III. xviii. 71 A semi-legendary belief that he was still alive.
semi-legitimate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪlᵻˈdʒɪtᵻmət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪləˈdʒɪdəmət/
,
/ˌsɛmiləˈdʒɪdəmət/
ΚΠ
1909 O. Lodge Survival of Man vi. 86 Public performances..often tend to obscure a phenomenon by covering it with semi-legitimate contempt.
semi-liberal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈlɪb(ə)rəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈlɪb(ə)rl̩/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlɪb(ə)rəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlɪb(ə)rəl/
ΚΠ
1624 H. Wotton Elements Archit. ii. 121 Semi-liberall Arts.
1850 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. May 515 The semi-Liberal semi-Tory Governments from 1815 to 1830.
semi-literate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈlɪt(ə)rət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlɪdərət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlɪdərət/
ΚΠ
1927 Mod. Philol. Nov. 221 Even the semi-literate speaker actually obtains some of his speech material by linguistic borrowing from written records.
1957 E. Partridge Eng. gone Wrong i. 5 The best English of the semi-literate.
1976 P. Cave High Flying Birds i. 10 Those who have perused my semi-literate journals masquerading as novels in the past may be familiar with some of my previous exploits.
semi-marine adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪməˈriːn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪməˈrin/
,
/ˌsɛmiməˈrin/
ΚΠ
1656 T. Blount Glossographia Semimarine (semimarinus), belonging partly to the Sea, and partly to the Land.
1885 Times (Weekly ed.) 11 Sept. 9/4 I should be much inclined to envy him his semi-marine residence.
semi-material adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪməˈtɪərɪəl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪməˈtɪriəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiməˈtɪriəl/
ΚΠ
1924 W. B. Selbie Psychol. Relig. 269 The persistence of the belief in such a semi-material ghost soul is a most interesting fact.
semi-mathematical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪmaθ(ə)ˈmatᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌmæθ(ə)ˈmædək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌmæθ(ə)ˈmædək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1924 Econ. Jrnl. 34 346 Meanwhile I got a good deal interested in the semi-mathematical side of pure Economics.
semi-mechanical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪmᵻˈkanᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪməˈkænək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiməˈkænək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1839 H. T. De la Beche Rep. Geol. Cornwall viii. 227 A semi-chemical, semi~mechanical origin.
semi-military adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmɪlᵻt(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɪləˌtɛri/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɪləˌtɛri/
ΚΠ
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. vii. iii. 412 Semi-military costume.
semi-monstrous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmɒnstrəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɑnstrəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɑnstrəs/
ΚΠ
1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species viii. 275 Varieties often suddenly produced and semi-monstrous in character.
semi-mystical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmɪstᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɪstək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɪstək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1902 W. James Varieties Relig. Experience iii. 69 Here is the abridged record of another mystical or semi-mystical experience.
1951 S. D. Ullmann Princ. Semantics iii. 158 The somewhat abstruse and occasionally semi-mystical jargon in which his views are often couched has given rise to a number of misinterpretations.
semi-mythical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmɪθᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɪθək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɪθək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1962 H. R. Loyn Anglo-Saxon Eng. i. 26 The semi-mythical island of Brittia, to which..the souls of the dead were ferried.
semi-naive adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪnʌɪˈiːv/
,
/ˌsɛmɪnɑːˈiːv/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌnɑˈiv/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌnɑˈiv/
ΚΠ
1962 Y. Malkiel in F. W. Householder & S. Saporta Probl. Lexicogr. 5 Perspective essentially involves the deliberate or semi-naïve attitude of the collector toward the chosen slice of material.
semi-oriental adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɔːrɪˈɛntl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɒrɪˈɛntl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɔriˈɛn(t)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɔriˈɛn(t)l/
ΚΠ
1841 W. Spalding Italy & Ital. Islands II. 255 The semi-oriental aspect of its costumes.
semi-paralyzed adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈparəlʌɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛrəˌlaɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛrəˌlaɪzd/
ΚΠ
1890 W. James Princ. Psychol. II. xxiv. 420 In ordinary fear, one may either run, or remain semi-paralyzed.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xii. [Cyclops] 294 The semiparalysed doyen of the party..had to be assisted to his seat by the aid of a powerful steam crane.
semi-pendent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɛnd(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛnd(ə)nt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛnd(ə)nt/
ΚΠ
1895 Pop. Sci. Monthly Apr. 764 The head of the hoactzin is ornamented with a semi-pendent crest.
semi-permanent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpəːmənənt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈpəːmn̩ənt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpərm(ə)nənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpərm(ə)nənt/
ΚΠ
1895 Outing 26 398/2 Semi-permanent telegraph lines.
semi-political adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪpəˈlɪtᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪpəˈlɪdək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmipəˈlɪdək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1858 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days (new ed.) Pref. p. xiv A semi-political, semi-sacerdotal fraternity.
semi-popish adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpəʊpɪʃ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpoʊpɪʃ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpoʊpɪʃ/
ΚΠ
1653 T. Gataker Vindic. Annot. Jer. 10.2 19 An obtrusion upon their Nation of a Semipopish Book of Common-Prayer.
semi-popular adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɒpjᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɑpjələr/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɑpjələr/
ΚΠ
1860 G. J. Adler tr. C. C. Fauriel Hist. Provençal Poetry viii The transition from the semi-popular poetry in monkish Latin to a decidedly popular poetry in the pure Romansh.
semi-prepared adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪprᵻˈpɛːd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪpriˈpɛ(ə)rd/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪprəˈpɛ(ə)rd/
,
/ˌsɛmipriˈpɛ(ə)rd/
,
/ˌsɛmiprəˈpɛ(ə)rd/
ΚΠ
1973 Morning Star 16 Jan. 5/3 There [is] a much better and wider distribution of shops selling semi-prepared foods [in Moscow now].
semi-private adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈprʌɪvᵻt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpraɪvᵻt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpraɪvᵻt/
ΚΠ
1876 W. Black Madcap Violet ii The..semi-private through~fare.
semi-public adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpʌblɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpəblɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpəblɪk/
ΚΠ
1804 Edinb. Rev. 4 23 Delicts, according to him [Bentham], are..Semipublic, or against some class or description of persons.
1875 W. S. Jevons Money xviii. 217 It may allow private individuals, or semi-public companies..to undertake the work.
semi-reclining adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈklʌɪnɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈklaɪnɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈklaɪnɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈklaɪnɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈklaɪnɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1931 E. H. Morris Temple of Warriors i. 5 A more than life-size sculpture of a semireclining human figure.
semi-religious adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈlɪdʒəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈlɪdʒəs/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈlɪdʒəs/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈlɪdʒəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈlɪdʒəs/
ΚΠ
1864 J. H. Newman Apologia (1904) i. 6/1 On subjects semi-religious and semi-scholastic.
semi-republican adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈpʌblᵻk(ə)n/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈpəblək(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈpəblək(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈpəblək(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈpəblək(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1841 Merivale Lect. Coloniz. & Col. I. ii. 50 A singular race, of semi-republican habits.
semi-retired adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈtʌɪəd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈtaɪ(ə)rd/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈtaɪ(ə)rd/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈtaɪ(ə)rd/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈtaɪ(ə)rd/
ΚΠ
a1974 R. Crossman Diaries (1976) II. 742 I am semi-retired.
semi-Romanized adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈrəʊmənʌɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈroʊməˌnaɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈroʊməˌnaɪzd/
ΚΠ
1849 Westm. & Foreign Q. Rev. 50 423 The semi-Romanized Britons.
semi-royal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈrɔɪəl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈrɔɪ(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈrɔɪ(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1834 W. Beckford Italy; with Sketches Spain & Portugal II. 25 The abode of these semi-royal sober personages.
semi-rural adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈrʊərəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈrʊərl̩/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈrʊrəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈrʊrəl/
ΚΠ
?1835 C. Dickens Lett. (1965) I. 56 You would prefer living in Chambers to remaining in your present semi-rural tranquility.
1864 Realm 23 Mar. 6 The most semi-rural of suburbs.
semi-sacerdotal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsasəˈdəʊtl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪsakəˈdəʊtl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌsæsərˈdoʊdl/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌsækərˈdoʊdl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌsæsərˈdoʊdl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌsækərˈdoʊdl/
ΚΠ
1858 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days (new ed.) Pref. p. xiv A semi-political, semi-sacerdotal fraternity.
semi-satisfied adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsatᵻsfʌɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsædəsˌfaɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsædəsˌfaɪd/
ΚΠ
1930 W. H. Auden Poems 75 And I, stung by the sun, Think, semi-satisfied That, 'ere the smile is done, The eye deliberate May qualify the joy.
semi-schematic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪskiːˈmatɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmɪskɪˈmatɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪskəˈmædɪk/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪskiˈmædɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiskəˈmædɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiskiˈmædɪk/
ΚΠ
1954 S. Duke-Elder Parsons' Dis. Eye (ed. 12) vi. 86 (caption) Semi-schematic diagram showing the correspondence of the structures seen in the normal eye by gonioscopy with those of a microscopic section.
semi-scholastic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪskə(ʊ)ˈlastɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪskəˈlæstɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiskəˈlæstɪk/
ΚΠ
1864 J. H. Newman Apologia (1904) i. 6/1 On subjects semi-religious and semi-scholastic.
semi-scientific adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsʌɪənˈtɪfɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
ΚΠ
1864 Sat. Rev. 31 Dec. 812/1 Scientific or semi-scientific observations.
semi-seafaring adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsiːfɛːrɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsiˌfɛrɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsiˌfɛrɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. xii. 264 A semi-seafaring man.
semi-secret adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsiːkrᵻt/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌsiːkrᵻt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsikrᵻt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsikrᵻt/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsikrᵻt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsikrᵻt/
ΚΠ
1955 D. W. Maurer in Publ. Amer. Dial. Soc. No. 24. 4 The language [of criminal subcultures] is usually secret or semisecret.
semi-senior adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsiːnɪə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsinjər/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsinjər/
ΚΠ
1939 Daily Tel. 18 Dec. 12/8 (advt.) Audit clerk, semi-senior, able to work without supervision.
1951 Sport 16–22 Mar. 9/2 Alec Talbot..finished his career with another semi-senior club, Stourbridge.
1976 Eastern Daily Press (Norwich) 16 Dec. 5/4 (advt.) Applicants from ambitious semi-seniors would be welcome.
semi-serious adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɪərɪəs/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌsɪərɪəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɪriəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɪriəs/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsɪriəs/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsɪriəs/
ΚΠ
1840 E. A. Poe in Graham's Mag. Nov. 225/1 The design was never more than semi-serious.
1977 J. F. Fixx Compl. Bk. Running xiv. 167 I don't know of a single even semiserious runner who smokes.
semi-servile adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsəːvʌɪl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈsəːvɪl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsərv(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsərˌvaɪl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsərv(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsərˌvaɪl/
ΚΠ
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. 22 The immediate cultivators of the soil..ceased to be in a servile or semi-servile state.
1875 E. Poste tr. Gaius Institutionum Iuris Civilis (ed. 2) ii. 174 Tenant farmers of a semi-servile condition.
semi-shady adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈʃeɪdi/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈʃeɪdi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈʃeɪdi/
ΚΠ
1896 T. W. Sanders Encycl. Gardening (ed. 2) 35 Place plants in semi-shady position outdoors June to Aug.
semi-shaven adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈʃeɪvn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈʃeɪvən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈʃeɪvən/
ΚΠ
1973 M. Amis Rachel Papers 67 Semi-shaven, dishcloth hair, duffle-coat, baggy brown Farmer-Giles corduroys.
semi-simious adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɪmɪəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɪmiəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɪmiəs/
ΚΠ
1873 W. D. Whitney Oriental & Ling. Stud. 293 A long and tedious climb upward from a miserable semi-simious state.
semi-single adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɪŋɡl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɪŋɡ(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɪŋɡ(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1899 Daily News 19 Sept. 6/7 A hilly, cross-country, semi-single line railway.
semi-skilled adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈskɪld/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈskɪld/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈskɪld/
ΚΠ
1927 A. M. Carr-Saunders & D. C. Jones Surv. Social Struct. Eng. & Wales v. 50 It is not usual to think of those occupied in retail dealing as divided into skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled.
1928 Britain's Industr. Future (Liberal Industr. Inq.) iii. xiv. § 3. 155 The General Labour Unions aim at the inclusion of semi-skilled and unskilled workers in many industries.
1940 W. S. Churchill Into Battle (1941) 166 We have to make a huge expansion of our labour force, and especially of those capable of performing skilled or semi-skilled operations.
1976 E. Stewart Launch! (1977) 16 In 810—semiskilled—they were playing Tensor beams across eight-by-five-inch printed circuits.
semi-social adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsəʊʃl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsoʊʃ(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsoʊʃ(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1780 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. (1789) xi. §18 Where..the motive..is a semi-social one, the love of reputation.
1925 T. Dreiser Amer. Trag. I. ii. viii. 206 They were in the midst of one of those semi-religious, semi-social and semi-emotional church affairs, the object of which was to raise money for the church.
semi-solemn adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɒləm/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɑləm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɑləm/
ΚΠ
1620 Bp. J. Hall Honor Married Clergie i. iii. 10 Their Vow is but semi-solemne.
semi-solidified adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsəˈlɪdᵻfʌɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪsəˈlɪdəˌfaɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmisəˈlɪdəˌfaɪd/
ΚΠ
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses iii. xvii. [Ithaca] 628 A naggin and a quarter of soured adulterated milk, converted by heat into water, acidulous serum and semisolidified curds.
semi-sporting adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈspɔːtɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈspɔrdɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈspɔrdɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1874 G. J. Whyte-Melville Uncle John II. xiv. 95 That semi-sporting appearance which is attainable by means of scanty trousers [etc.].
semi-static adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈstatɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈstædɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈstædɪk/
ΚΠ
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses iii. xvii. [Ithaca] 649 A series of static, semistatic and peripatetic intellectual dialogues.
semi-subjective adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsəbˈdʒɛktɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmɪsʌbˈdʒɛktɪv/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪsəbˈdʒɛktɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmisəbˈdʒɛktɪv/
ΚΠ
1962 J. T. Marsh Self-smoothing Fabrics xxiii. 382 Variations of the crumpling method have produced a few semi-subjective tests.
semi-sweet adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈswiːt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈswit/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈswit/
ΚΠ
1943 List Retail Controlled Prices (Min. of Food) (ed. 3) 6 Biscuits, sweet or semi-sweet.
1972 Times 15 Nov. (Ital. Wine Suppl.) iv./3 Est! Est!! Est!!!..comes in both dry and semi-sweet.
semi-supernatural adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsuːpəˈnatʃ(ə)rəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪsjuːpəˈnatʃ(ə)rəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪsuːpəˈnatʃ(ə)rl̩/
,
/ˌsɛmɪsjuːpəˈnatʃ(ə)rl̩/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌsupərˈnætʃ(ə)rəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌsupərˈnætʃ(ə)rəl/
ΚΠ
1880 J. A. Froude Bunyan i. 14 A semi-supernatural being.
semi-technical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈtɛknᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈtɛknək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈtɛknək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1954 W. K. Hancock Country & Calling viii. 227 There are..many words of technical or semi-technical origin which have lodged themselves..firmly in everyday speech.
1976 Classical Q. New Ser. 26 216 Both lines, as Nicolaus notes..allude to a semi-technical legal term.
semi-theoretical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪθɪəˈrɛtᵻkl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˌθiːəˈrɛtᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌθiəˈrɛdək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌθɪˈrɛdək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌθiəˈrɛdək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌθɪˈrɛdək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
a1974 R. Crossman Diaries (1976) II. 27 It was a reasoned, semi-theoretical speech and it produced an amazingly good response.
semi-tropical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈtrɒpᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈtrɑpək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈtrɑpək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1860 H. B. Tristram Great Sahara xxi. 354 It was a magnificent semi-alpine, semi-tropical scene.
semi-urban adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈəːb(ə)n/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈərbən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈərbən/
ΚΠ
1884 Manch. Examiner 9 July 4/6 The swamping of the agricultural labourers by the semi~urban population.
semi-vegetable adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈvɛdʒ(ᵻ)təbl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈvɛdʒtəb(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈvɛdʒədəb(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈvɛdʒtəb(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈvɛdʒədəb(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1780 S. Johnson Let. 21 June (1992) III. 279 A semivegetable diet.
semi-visible adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈvɪzᵻbl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈvɪzəb(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈvɪzəb(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick lxxxv. 416 I am convinced that from the heads of all ponderous profound beings, such as Plato,..Dante, and so on, there always goes up a certain semi-visible steam, while in the act of thinking deep thoughts.
semi-voluntary adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈvɒlənt(ə)ri/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈvɒln̩t(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈvɑlənˌtɛri/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈvɑlənˌtɛri/
ΚΠ
1749 D. Hartley Observ. Man ii. ii. 140 The automatic and semivoluntary Exertions of the Organs of Speech.
semi-wild adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈwʌɪld/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈwaɪld/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈwaɪld/
ΚΠ
1847 W. C. L. Martin Ox 74/1 A noble semi-wild race.
(b) Compounded with a noun to form an adjectival phr.
ΚΠ
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. v. xi. 352 What Un-Patriot or Semi-Patriot Ministry.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxvii. 276 A semi-rattlesnake sort of eye.
1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 10 June 4/2 Since his father's death the Prince of Wales and the Princess have done the semi-state honours.
1896 Daily News 28 Oct. 3/2 Five semi-gala carriages with Royal scarlet liveries.
1897 Daily News 24 Apr. 2/5 A posting landau converted into a semi~dress landau.
1901 Scotsman 2 Mar. 9/7 One of the King's semi-State landaus.
1906 Daily Chron. 5 Oct. 4/5 Her dress..was of semi-Empire shape.
1935 Discovery Aug. 220/1 Subsistence or semi-subsistence farming was the rule, the settlers eked out a bare existence from such poor land.
1938 New Statesman 23 July 143/2 What is needed is an extended application of the Trade Board method over a wide range of growing trades which mass-produce luxury or semi-luxury goods.
1955 O. Keepnews & W. Grauer Pict. Hist. Jazz xi. 117 They made much use of jazz and semi-jazz conceptions in their dance music.
1962 H. O. Beecheno Introd. Business Stud. xi. 98 The more expensive type of goods..which are not the subject of so much branding and national advertising—the luxury and semi-luxury goods.
1975 Sci. Amer. May 76/3 Most of them work as semi-subsistence farmers and live according to Mayan cultural patterns.
b. Compounded with nouns:
(a) with nouns of action or condition.
semi-allegiance n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəˈliːdʒ(ə)ns/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈlidʒ(ə)ns/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈlidʒ(ə)ns/
= partial, imperfect, or incomplete allegiance.
ΚΠ
1689 D. Granville in Remains (1861) I. 117 An universall semi-conformity would end in as universall semi~allegiance.
(b) with descriptive nouns, as semi-acquaintance = one with whom one is partially acquainted, † semi-body = an imperfect body.
ΚΠ
1626 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. VIII. O.T. xxi. 356 Those sparkes of piety which he descryed in this semi-proselite.
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1958) IX. 293 Non-confitents, That thinke not of confessing their sinnes..Semi-confitents, that confesse them to halfs, without purpose of amendment.
1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper i. 72 Such are the blots and spots of our semi~conversions.
1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) ii. §14 There is under..these mutilate and semi-bodies [sc. of beggars], a soule of the same alloy with our owne. View more context for this quotation
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica iv. v. 189 One [testicle] sufficeth unto generation, as hath beene observed in semicastration . View more context for this quotation
1653 Wither (title) The dark Lantern, containing a dim discoverie, in riddles..parables and semi-riddles.
a1667 A. Cowley Poet. Revenge in Sylva 10 A semi-gentleman of th' Innes of Court.
1678 J. Norris Coll. Misc. (1699) 135 Tho seriousness be generally reckon'd only as a Semi-Virtue, and by some as no Virtue at all.
1688 D. Granville in Remains (1861) I. 229 I censure my censurers more for their semi-loyalty.
1713 A. Pope Corr. 31 Aug. (1956) I. 188 A letter of yours has infinitely more charms to me, than the newest mail to the most ardent semipolitician.
1751 T. Smollett Peregrine Pickle II. lvi. 151 In the transport of his zeal he wrung this semi-convert's hand.
1774 J. Bryant New Syst. (new ed.) I. 453 In short, till we recollect ourselves, we are semi-pagans.
1788 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 79 157 The loins of the semi-monster.
a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) v. 144 This Arab Phantom, which my Friend beheld, This Semi-Quixote.
1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. III. 191 [She] was led out of the room in a sort of semi-convulsion.
1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. I. 228 Mrs. Abberly moved in that class of semi-fashion, which..never exceeds a certain circle.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. I. 79 That description of semi-curls, usually known as ‘haggerawators’.
1841 E. Bulwer-Lytton Night & Morning iv. iii A doleful and doubtful semi-smile of welcome.
1849 C. J. Lever Roland Cashel li The vast apartment is in semi-darkness.
1863 J. S. Mill Let. 7 Jan. (1910) I. 273 He has triumphed wonderfully over the difficulty of rendering the thoughts or semi-thoughts of Plato.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in Enoch Arden, etc. 61 A flash of semi-jealousy.
1865 J. S. Mill Exam. Hamilton's Philos. vii. 104 But such a semi-concession..cannot save him.
1865 C. Knight Passages Working Life II. 10 In the semi-thoroughfare of Pall Mall East.
1865 W. Bagehot Eng. Constit. i. 19 A semi-connection has grown up between the legislature and the executive.
1866 Macmillan's Mag. 13 274 The semi~rebellion of the Gallicans against the despotism of the Pope.
1867 J. S. Mill Let. 19 Oct. (1910) II. 90 Parliamentary semi-work or idleness.
1871 Fair France v. 160 That perpetual state of semi-fuddle, peculiar to our beer-drinking agricultural labourer.
1872 W. D. Howells Their Wedding Journey vii Isabel had found among the passengers her semi-acquaintances of the hotel parlour.
1873 F. Hall Mod. Eng. Pref. A motley cluster of philologists, semi-philologists, and entire philologasters.
1875 Ld. Tennyson Queen Mary ii. i. 61 A semi-madman..So fancy-ridd'n.
1878 Mrs. H. Wood Pomeroy Abbey III. iii. ii. 203 Something in the very words, in what she undoubtedly knew to be their semi-truth, had startled her.
1886 J. Ruskin Præterita I. xii. 424 Wasted affection, and rewardless semi-virtue.
1894 Daily News 4 Oct. 2/1 The condition of semi-panic which lasted for some hours.
1900 W. S. Churchill in Morning Post 20 July 5/7 It was not possible for the conquering army to allow the capital..to be in a state of semi-siege.
1907 Westm. Gaz. 12 Oct. 13/2 Something between a sac and a semi-fit.
1920 J. M. Keynes Econ. Consequences Peace 95 Germany is threatened with a deluge of luxuries and semi-luxuries from abroad.
1938 New Statesman 20 Aug. 288/2 They operated in a twilight of semi-illegality.
1958 T. M. Stanwell-Fletcher Clear Lands 89 That cold, beautiful semidark of the Arctic night.
1958 ‘F. Newton’ in P. Gammond Decca Bk. Jazz v. 65 Variety songs, effect-catching numbers and calculated semi-pornography.
1961 tr. Zhou Enlai in Look 31 Jan. 104/2 A considerable period is needed before China can surpass the norm with regard to mechanization and semimechanization.
1962 E. Snow Other Side of River iv. 36 China's major ocean and river ports fell under foreign control and she became a semicolony not of one nation but of all the major industrial and naval powers.
1963 Times 7 Feb. 4/4 A Prime Minister with the support of the House of Commons may be in a stronger position than a President who has not got the support of Congress, but he is not the sole executive officer as a President is, or a dictator such as Khrushchev, or a semidictator such as de Gaulle.
1964 L. MacNeice Astrol. vii. 230 The semi-charlatan who may not subscribe to any code of ethics.
(c) with nouns.
semi-autonomy n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɔːˈtɒnəmi/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɔˈtɑnəmi/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɑˈtɑnəmi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɔˈtɑnəmi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɑˈtɑnəmi/
ΚΠ
1948 D. Diringer Alphabet ii. iv. 286 Groups of ‘Assyrians’..developed a semi-autonomy, owing allegiance only to their maliks.
semi-believer n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪbᵻˌliːvə/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪbəˌlivər/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪbiˌlivər/
,
/ˈsɛmibəˌlivər/
,
/ˈsɛmibiˌlivər/
ΚΠ
1874 J. S. Mill Three Ess. Relig. 70 An argument for the utility of religion is an appeal..to semi-believers to make them avert their eyes from what might possibly shake their unstable belief.
semi-consciousness n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒnʃəsnəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑnʃəsnəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑnʃəsnəs/
ΚΠ
1929 Evening News 18 Nov. 4/5 His weariness was so heavy that it bore him into a state of semi-consciousness.
semi-defence n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdᵻˈfɛns/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˈfɛns/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪdiˈfɛns/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdiˌfɛns/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˈfɛns/
,
/ˌsɛmidiˈfɛns/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdiˌfɛns/
ΚΠ
1914 W. S. Churchill Let. 8 Oct. in M. Gilbert W. S. Churchill (1972) III. Compan. i. 182 We must not be led into frittering away resources by keeping half a dozen anchorages in a state of semi-defence.
1977 Financial Times 7 Oct. 23/3 Mr Wedgwood Benn's silky semi-defence of Government strategy from the platform.
semi-dilapidation n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdᵻlapᵻˈdeɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˌlæpəˈdeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˌlæpəˈdeɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1818 T. L. Peacock Nightmare Abbey i. 1 Nightmare Abbey..in a highly picturesque state of semi-dilapidation.
semi-domestication n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdəmɛstᵻˈkeɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˌmɛstəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˌmɛstəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
a1835 J. Macculloch Proofs & Illustr. Attributes God (1837) III. xliii. 134 A state of semidomestication.
semi-illiterate n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪˈlɪt(ə)rət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪɪ(l)ˈlɪdərət/
,
/ˌsɛmiɪ(l)ˈlɪdərət/
ΚΠ
1949 A. Koestler Insight & Outlook vi. 84 The comic effects of misspelling in the letters of children or semi-illiterates.
semi-intoxication n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪnˌtɒksᵻˈkeɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪᵻnˌtɑksəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiᵻnˌtɑksəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1850 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1853) 3rd Ser. ix. 114 The oratory of the statesman in the senate has been kindled by semi-intoxication.
semi-invalid n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɪnvəlɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈɪnvəliːd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɪnvəlᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɪnvəlᵻd/
ΚΠ
1952 E. Grierson Reputation for Song vii. 58 She lived with an aunt, a semi-invalid.
semi-literate n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈlɪt(ə)rət/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌlɪt(ə)rət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlɪdərət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlɪdərət/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌlɪdərət/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌlɪdərət/
ΚΠ
1974 Howard Jrnl. 14 78 Sir Cyril Burt defined semi-literates as those ‘who cannot make effective use of reading or writing’.
semi-obscurity n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəbˈskjʊərᵻti/
,
/ˌsɛmɪəbˈskjɔːrᵻti/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəbˈskjʊrədi/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɑbˈskjʊrədi/
,
/ˌsɛmiəbˈskjʊrədi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɑbˈskjʊrədi/
ΚΠ
1884 ‘H. Collingwood’ Under Meteor Flag 102 The branches met overhead, veiling the path in semi-obscurity.
semi-paralysis n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪpᵻˈralᵻsɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪpəˈræləsəs/
,
/ˌsɛmipəˈræləsəs/
ΚΠ
1906 E. Dyson Fact'ry 'Ands xiii. 169 He smote himself on the breast..leaving the packer in a condition of semi-paralysis.
semi-reformer n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈfɔːmə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈfɔrmər/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈfɔrmər/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈfɔrmər/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈfɔrmər/
ΚΠ
1835 J. S. Mill in London Rev. Oct. 272 A last desperate attempt of the Tories to creep back into power as semi-reformers.
semi-retirement n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈtʌɪəm(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈtaɪ(ə)rmənt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈtaɪ(ə)rmənt/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈtaɪ(ə)rmənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈtaɪ(ə)rmənt/
ΚΠ
1935 Mind 44 524 Retirement (or shall we say semi-retirement) has given Dr. Schiller increased leisure.
1971 D. J. Smith Discovering Railwayana viii. 47 After the grouping..many of the relics were consigned to semi-retirement in backyard and basement.
semi-ruin n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌruːɪn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌruᵻn/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌruᵻn/
ΚΠ
1867 M. E. Herbert Cradle Lands iii. 103 It soon fell into decay, and remained a semi-ruin.
semi-secrecy n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsiːkrᵻsi/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsikrəsi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsikrəsi/
ΚΠ
1878 Mrs. H. Wood Pomeroy Abbey III. xv. 75 That for which Leolin had been working for years in semi-secrecy.
semi-shade n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪʃeɪd/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌʃeɪd/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌʃeɪd/
ΚΠ
1952 A. G. L. Hellyer Sanders' Encycl. Gardening (ed. 22) 40 Position, semi-shade or north aspect.
semi-stagnation n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪstaɡˈneɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌstæɡˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌstæɡˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1825 J. Black Capillary Circ., etc. 163 Semi-stagnation may deteriorate into more complete deprivation of the materia vitæ.
semi-starvation n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪstɑːˈveɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌstɑrˈveɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌstɑrˈveɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1855 W. M. Thackeray Char. Sketches in Wks. (1898) III. 535 Tolerably cheerful in the midst of his semi-starvation.
semi-stupor n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌstjuːpə/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌstʃuːpə/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌst(j)upər/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌst(j)upər/
ΚΠ
1929 New Yorker 12 Oct. 25/3 It is like the semi-stupor of an habitual intoxication.
1977 Proc. Royal Soc. Med. 70 689/1 High alcohol intake probably meets this need as well as providing them with an intermittent refuge in sedation and semistupor.
c. Compounded with verbs, as semi-castrate = to castrate partially, semi-close = to shut in partly.
ΚΠ
1828–32 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Semi-castrate, to deprive of one testicle.
1845 Jowett in Life & Lett. (1897) I. 120 If you will resign yourself to be semi-humbugged by a semi-humbug.
1858 Barrow in Mercantile Marine Mag. 5 13 The bays which these headlands semi-close.
1902 ‘G. F. Monkshood’ & G. Gamble R. Kipling (ed. 3) 240 [In ‘Stalky & Co.’] he chose to semi-conceal his purposes behind a lattice-work of farce.
1962 Times 9 Apr. (Suppl.) p. iii/3 The dispensation of powdered lime with oxygen is used to semi-refine molten iron before final treatment.
1973 M. Amis Rachel Papers 102 Kiss and semi-lick throat and neck.
d. Compounded with adverbs, as semi-adjectively = in a function partly adjectival.
ΚΠ
a1834 S. T. Coleridge Lit. Remains (1839) IV. 368 And is not ‘Scripture’ as often used semi-adjectively?
1861 H. S. Maine Anc. Law v. 146 A duty semi-consciously followed.
1945 Plastics 9 143/1 Practical mechanical [safety] devices capable of functioning either fully or semi-automatically.
e. The prefix used absol. as an adverb, in sense ‘partly, to some extent’. colloquial.
ΚΠ
1979 K. M. Peyton Marion's Angels vi. 102 ‘I thought you were on holiday.’ ‘Semi.’
2. In special and technical use.
a.
(a) With designations of quantity, extent of space or time, and the like.
semi-amplitude n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌamplᵻtjuːd/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌamplᵻtʃuːd/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌæmpləˌt(j)ud/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌæmpləˌt(j)ud/
ΚΠ
1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics x. 94 By exposing the north pole of a needle a foot long, the semi-amplitude of the last oscillation was 6° more than the first.
semi-arc n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪɑːk/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌɑrk/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌɑrk/
ΚΠ
1794 Attwood in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 84 151 The balance commencing its vibration at the extremity of the arc B, after having passed the semiarc BO with an accelerated motion.
1858 Huxley in Proc. Royal Soc. (1859) 9 428 Each distal portion of the hæmal semi-arc.
semi-century n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌsɛntʃ(ᵿ)ri/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsɛn(t)ʃ(ə)ri/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsɛn(t)ʃ(ə)ri/
= 50.
ΚΠ
1650 J. Goldolphin (title) The Holy Limbeck, or a Semi-Century of Spiritual Extraction.
† semi-cotyle n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1899 Daily News 26 Aug. 7/5 Some fancy woollen fabric, only too ready to betray its semi-cotton derivation.
† semi-cubit n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1623 H. Cockeram Eng. Dict. i Semicubit, halfe a cubit.
† semi-dole n. [see dolium n.] Obsolete
ΚΠ
1656 T. Blount Glossographia Semidole (semidolium), a vessell containing half a Tun, a Pipe.
semi-drachm n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪdram/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌdræm/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌdræm/
ΚΠ
1827 J. Robinson Archæol. Græca (ed. 2) v. xxvi. 549 A semi-drachm.
semi-duration n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪdjᵿˌreɪʃn/
,
/ˈsɛmɪdʒᵿˌreɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪd(j)əˌreɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˈsɛmid(j)əˌreɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1719 J. Pound in Philos. Trans. 1717–19 (Royal Soc.) 30 1032 The Semi-duration of the Eclipse.
1867 G. F. Chambers Descr. Astron. i. i. 8 Longer than the semi-duration of the Sun's rotation.
† semi-hore n. [Latin sēmihōra] Obsolete half an hour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > hour > [noun] > specific part of an hour
prickOE
momentumOE
prickleOE
punctOE
mileway1370
momenta1398
pointa1398
half-hourc1420
quartera1500
glass1599
semi-hore1623
scruple1728
part1806
1623 H. Cockeram Eng. Dict. i Semi-hore, halfe an houre.
semi-interquartile range n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪntəkwɔːtʌɪl ˈreɪn(d)ʒ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɪn(t)ərˌkwɔrˌtaɪl ˈreɪndʒ/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɪn(t)ərˌkwɔrdl ˈreɪndʒ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɪn(t)ərˌkwɔrˌtaɪl ˈreɪndʒ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɪn(t)ərˌkwɔrdl ˈreɪndʒ/
Statistics half of the interquartile range.
ΚΠ
1911 G. U. Yule Introd. Theory Statistics viii. 134 There are three such measures in common use—the standard deviation, the mean deviation, and the quartile deviation or semi-interquartile range.
1971 T. R. Harshbarger Introd. Statistics v. 91 The semi-interquartile range is half the quartile range: Q = ½ (Q3 − Q1). Q is also called the quartile deviation.
semi-lunation n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪluːˈneɪʃn/
,
/ˈsɛmɪluːˌneɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌluˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌluˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌluˌneɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌluˌneɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1791 Philos. Trans. 1790 (Royal Soc.) 80 564 Each semi-lunation is distinguished into fifteen equal portions, or lunar days.
semi-molecule n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌmɒlᵻkjuːl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌmɑləˌkjul/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌmɑləˌkjul/
ΚΠ
1862 W. A. Miller Elements Chem. (ed. 2) III. iii. §4. 238 Wurtz's double radicles would therefore be merely compounds in which the place of the semi-molecule of hydrogen, or of the ethyl was supplied by a different hydrocarbon.
semi-phase n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪfeɪz/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌfeɪz/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌfeɪz/
ΚΠ
1863 Intellectual Observer IV. 368 In this case the first semi-phase of the vibration affected her room, and the second semi~phase operated more especially below.
semi-revolution n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪrɛvəˌl(j)uːʃn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌrɛvəˌluʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌrɛvəˌluʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1715 tr. D. Gregory Elements Astron. I. ii. §64. 131 A Semi-revolution of the Earth about the Sun.
1884 F. Krohn tr. G. Glaser de Cew Magneto- & Dynamo-electr. Machines 242 The current changes its direction with every semi-revolution of the spindle.
semi-span n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪspan/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌspæn/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌspæn/
ΚΠ
1772 C. Hutton Princ. Bridges 62 A circular arc whose..versed sine..= the semi-span.
semi-tour n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪtʊə/
,
/ˈsɛmɪtɔː/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌtʊ(ə)r/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌtʊ(ə)r/
ΚΠ
1890 Internat. Ann. Anthonys Photogr. Bull. 187 A semi-tour of the horizon is taken at a single exposure.
semi-vibration n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪvʌɪˌbreɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌvaɪˌbreɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌvaɪˌbreɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 517 The pendulum, moving down the arch of semi-vibration.
(b) With adjectives, adverbs, and nouns expressing periodical recurrence or duration, semi- denotes that the period is halved (after semi-annual adj.).s
semi-centenarian n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsɛntəˈnɛːrɪən/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌsɛn(t)əˈnɛriən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌsɛn(t)əˈnɛriən/
a person of 50 years of age.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > person of specific age > [noun]
one-year-old?1609
cinquanter1611
sexagenariana1646
septuagene1657
quintagenarian1687
threescore1721
septuagenarian1744
centenarian1747
seven-year-old1762
septuagenary1792
centenary1800
nonagenarian1804
sexagenary1814
octogenarian1815
nine-year-old1828
octogenary1828
semi-centenarian1828
quinquagenarian1830
quadragenarian1839
seventeen-year-old1858
70-year-old1870
twenty-firster1912
1828 Lights & Shades Eng. Life II. 36 Off the two semi-centenarians started with a duet.
semi-centenary n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsɛnˈtiːn(ə)ri/
,
/ˌsɛmɪsɛnˈtɛn(ə)ri/
,
/ˌsɛmɪs(ə)nˈtiːn(ə)ri/
,
/ˌsɛmɪs(ə)nˈtɛn(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌsɛnˈtɛnəri/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɛn(t)əˌnɛri/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌsɛnˈtɛnəri/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɛn(t)əˌnɛri/
the fiftieth anniversary.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > an anniversary > [noun] > specific anniversaries
jubileec1386
quinquagenary1588
centenary1661
millennium1664
secular1706
coming of age1788
centennial1791
tricentenary1846
tercentenary1855
quinquennial1857
ter-millenary1864
sexcentenary1865
semi-centenary1870
bicentenary1872
septcentenary1873
quincentenary1877
sesquicentennial1880
quadricentennial1882
bicentennial1883
quatercentenary1883
tricentennial1883
tercentennial1884
quincentennial1885
octocentenary1888
quadrennial1890
quingentenary1892
octingentenary1893
ruby anniversary1893
semi-jubilee1893
septingentenary1893
millennial1896
millenary1897
quadringenary1905
quingenary1911
bimillenary1961
sesquicentenary1961
quasquicentennial1962
nongenary1966
octocentennial1994
1870 R. Anderson Hist. Missions Amer. Board II. xxvii. 235 The semi-centenary of the mission.
semi-centennial adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsɛnˈtɛnɪəl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪs(ə)nˈtɛniəl/
,
/ˌsɛmis(ə)nˈtɛniəl/
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > an anniversary > [adjective] > of a specific anniversary
jubilar1613
centenary1620
jubilean1624
centenarious1727
tercentenary1844
semi-centennial1859
quatercentenary1877
quincentenary1878
tricentenary1882
tricentennial1883
quincentennial1884
quingentenary1884
tercentennial1884
octocentenary1888
octocentennial1889
septcentenary1889
quinquagenary1933
quatercentennial1937
quasquicentennial1962
1859 (title) Memorials of the semi-centennial celebration of the founding of the Theological Seminary at Andover.
semi-daily adj. and adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdeɪli/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdeɪli/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdeɪli/
(occurring) twice daily.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > a day or twenty-four hours > [adjective] > occurring specific number of times a day
bimeridian1869
semi-daily1869
tridiurnal1884
ter-diurnal1892
di-diurnal-
1869 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Agric. 1868 335 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (40th Congr., 3rd Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc.) XV This process of impregnating and depositing in the hatching-house was repeated semi-daily.
1903 Westm. Gaz. 19 Oct. 7/1 Semi~daily attacks of epilepsy.
semi-horal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈhɔːrəl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈhɔrəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈhɔrəl/
half-hourly.
ΚΠ
1847–54 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Semi-horal.
semi-jubilee n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdʒuːbᵻliː/
,
/ˌsɛmɪdʒuːbᵻˈliː/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdʒubəˌli/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌdʒubəˈli/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdʒubəˌli/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌdʒubəˈli/
a twenty-fifth anniversary.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > an anniversary > [noun] > specific anniversaries
jubileec1386
quinquagenary1588
centenary1661
millennium1664
secular1706
coming of age1788
centennial1791
tricentenary1846
tercentenary1855
quinquennial1857
ter-millenary1864
sexcentenary1865
semi-centenary1870
bicentenary1872
septcentenary1873
quincentenary1877
sesquicentennial1880
quadricentennial1882
bicentennial1883
quatercentenary1883
tricentennial1883
tercentennial1884
quincentennial1885
octocentenary1888
quadrennial1890
quingentenary1892
octingentenary1893
ruby anniversary1893
semi-jubilee1893
septingentenary1893
millennial1896
millenary1897
quadringenary1905
quingenary1911
bimillenary1961
sesquicentenary1961
quasquicentennial1962
nongenary1966
octocentennial1994
1893 Missionary Herald (Boston) Mar. 114 Semi-Jubilee of the Mardin Church.
1901 Nature 27 June 210 His semi-jubilee as a doctor of physics.
semi-menstrual adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmɛnstrʊəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈmɛnstrᵿl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɛnstr(əw)əl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɛnstr(əw)əl/
recurring twice a month; of tides (see quot. 1863).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > a month or calendar month > [adjective] > monthly or occurring once a month > occurring twice a month
semi-menstrual1845
semi-monthly1851
1845 G. B. Airy Tides & Waves in Encycl. Metrop. V The observed semimenstrual irregularities.
1863 J. B. Harbord Gloss. Navigation Semimenstrual Inequality, an inequality (of the tide) which goes through its changes every half month.
semi-mensual adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmɛnsjʊəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈmɛnsjᵿl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈmɛnʃʊəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈmɛnʃ(ᵿ)l/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɛn(t)ʃ(əw)əl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɛn(t)ʃ(əw)əl/
recurring twice a month; of tides (see quot. 1863 for semi-menstrual adj.).
ΚΠ
1847 W. Whewell Hist. Inductive Sci. (rev. ed.) II. 311 The laws of a great number of the tidal phenomena, namely, of the Semi-mensual Inequality of the Heights.
semi-millenary adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪmᵻˈlɛnəri/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈmɪlᵻnəri/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɪləˌnɛri/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɪləˌnɛri/
lasting 500 years.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > year > [adjective] > lasting for several years > that lasts a specific number of years
seven yeara1393
quinquenniala1475
triennial1641
septennary1644
biennial1645
septenarian1647
septennial1648
diennial1656
quadrennial1656
trienniated1661
quintennial1687
semi-millenary1728
1728 M. Earbery in tr. T. Burnet Of State of Dead II. ix. 24 A long millenary, or semi-millenary Life.
semi-monthly adj. and adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmʌnθli/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmənθli/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmənθli/
(occurring, issued, etc.) twice a month; also n. a fortnightly periodical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > a month or calendar month > [adjective] > monthly or occurring once a month > occurring twice a month
semi-menstrual1845
semi-monthly1851
1851 C. Cist Sketches & Statistics Cincinnati 75 These are semi-monthlies.
1860 Executive Documents U.S. Senate (36th Congress, 2nd Sess.) No. 1. 435 The present contract..provides for an additional monthly trip between New York and San Francisco, making the service tri-monthly instead of semi-monthly as heretofore.
1895 Cal. Univ. Nebraska 1895–6 250 The Hesperian is the pioneer paper of the University, published semi-monthly.
semi-weekly n., adj., and adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈwiːkli/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈwikli/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈwikli/
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > a week > [adjective] > occurring a specific number of times a week
weekly1489
hebdomadary1625
hebdomaticala1659
hebdomadal1711
septimanal1786
tri-weekly1832
semi-weekly1833
bi-weekly1885
1791 T. Jefferson Let. 21 July in Papers (1982) XX. 657 Besides this, Fenno's being the only weekly or half weekly paper.]
1833 A. H. Tracy Let. 10 June in T. W. Barnes Mem. T. Weed (1884) iv. 49 Put Millard Fillmore on your list for the Semi-Weekly.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 14/2 138 daily, 1141 weekly, and 125 semi- or tri-weekly newspapers.
1851–6 (title) Semi-weekly courier and New York enquirer.
1926 Jrnl. Biol. Chem. 69 92 The weights of the rats and of their food intake were recorded semiweekly.
(c) Music.
(i) Designating a note, etc. of half the length, as †semi-crotchet, †semi-minim, †semi-tact; also semibreve n., semiquaver n., semitone n.
ΚΠ
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Semiminima, a semi~minime in musicke.
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Semicrome, a semie crochet in musike.
1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 46 Tact is three-fold, the greater, the lesser, and the proportionate... The lesser Tact, is the halfe of the greater, which they call a Semitact.
1795 W. Mason Ess. Eng. Church Music iv. 248 The..Semiminim now called Crotchet.
1883 W. S. Rockstro in Grove Dict. Music at Semiminim Sometimes the head of the greater Semiminim was ‘void’—that is to say, open or white.
†(ii) = imperfect adj. and n., diminished adj. 4a, as semi-diapason, semi-diapente, semi-ditone, etc. (Cf. demi- prefix 9.)
ΚΠ
1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 21 Semidiapason Is an imperfect eight.
1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 20 Semidiapente Is an Interuall by an imperfect fift.
1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 18 A Semiditone..is an Interuall of one Voyce from another by an imperfect third.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 158/2 Semi, it is not to be taken for the half of such a Note or Interval in Musick, but only imports a dificiency, as wanting something of perfection.
1694 W. Holder Treat. Harmony vii. 172 The greatest [seventh], called Semidiapason, whose Ration is 48 to 25;..wanting Hemitone Minor of Diapason.
1694 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 18 73 The false fifth, or Semidiapente, made of a Fourth and Hemitone major, i.e. 64 to 45.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Semi-Diatessaron, in Music, a defective Fourth, call'd, properly, a false Fourth.
1730 Short Treat. Harmony i. 7 The Leaps of the False Relations, viz. of a Tritonus, and of a Semidiapente are absolutely forbidden.
(d) Astronomy.
† semi-quadrangle n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1789 T. Taylor tr. Proclus Philos. & Math. Comm. II. 32 That which has the vertical angle double of each at the base, as a semiquadrangle.
† semi-quadrate n. (? erron. semi-quadrant) Obsolete
ΚΠ
1647 W. Lilly Christian Astrol. c. 511 You find in the directions of this Nativity, the Semisextill, Semiquintil, Semiquadrate, Quintill, Sesquiquintill, Byquintill and Sesquiquadrate, mentioned.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 371/2 A semi-Quadrant, of some called a demi-Quadrant.
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Semi-quadrant, Semi-quartile (in Astronomy), an Object invented by Kepler, when two Planets are distant 45 Degrees from each other.
† semi-quadrature n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1764 Behmen's Wks. I. Advt. Synonymous Expressions are placed..betwixt two Semiquadratures [ ] in the Body of the Work.
† †semi-quartile adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
a1690 S. Jeake Λογιστικηλογία (1696) 11 [Aspects.]..Semiquartil.
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Semi-quadrant, Semi-quartile (in Astronomy), an Object invented by Kepler, when two Planets are distant 45 Degrees from each other.
† semi-quintile adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1647 W. Lilly Christian Astrol. c. 511 You find in the directions of this Nativity, the Semisextill, Semiquintil, Semiquadrate, Quintill, Sesquiquintill, Byquintill and Sesquiquadrate, mentioned.
† semi-sextile adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1647 W. Lilly Christian Astrol. c. 511 You find in the directions of this Nativity, the Semisextill, Semiquintil, Semiquadrate, Quintill, Sesquiquintill, Byquintill and Sesquiquadrate, mentioned.
† †semi-sixth n. Obsolete denoting aspects of planets when they are 45°, 36°, 30°, respectively, distant from one another.
ΚΠ
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Semi-Sextile The Semi-sixth was added to the ancient Aspects by Kepler.
Categories »
semi-square n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪskwɛː/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌskwɛ(ə)r/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌskwɛ(ə)r/
= semi-quadrate n.
† semi-square adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1835 ‘Zadkiel’ Lilly's Introd. Astrol. 24 Evil aspects are the semi~square, square, sesquiquadrate, and opposition.
b.
(a) Designating a (geometrical) form derived from another by bisection (usually) in a vertical or longitudinal direction.
semi-canal n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪkəˌnal/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪkəˌnæl/
,
/ˈsɛmikəˌnæl/
ΚΠ
1836–9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. II. 390/2 A semi-canal formed by a fold of the right side of the mantle.
1877 T. H. Huxley Man. Anat. Invertebrated Animals viii. 496 The duct of the ovotestis..incompletely divided into two semicanals.
semi-cone n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪkəʊn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkoʊn/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkoʊn/
ΚΠ
1899 Daily News 14 July 6/4 A silver-gilt chalice..of semi-cone form.
semi-conic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒnɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑnɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑnɪk/
(also semi-conical)
ΚΠ
1822 J. Parkinson Outl. Oryctol. 299 The inner surface [of the teeth], which is round, or rather semiconical.
semi-conoidal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkə(ʊ)ˈnɔɪdl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkəˈnɔɪd(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmikəˈnɔɪd(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1865 J. Lubbock Prehist. Times iii. 64 The fracture is at first semi-conoidal or nearly so.
semi-cup n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪkʌp/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkəp/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkəp/
ΚΠ
1779 T. Forrest Voy. New Guinea 28 Edible birds nests... I have taken them from the face of a perpendicular rock, to which they strongly adhered, in rows like semi~cups, the one touching the other.
semi-disk n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪdɪsk/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌdɪsk/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌdɪsk/
ΚΠ
1784 W. Herschel in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 74 265 The semi-disk, which is full, is evidently part of an oblate spheroid.
semi-dodecagon n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdəʊˈdɛkəɡɒn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌdoʊˈdɛkəˌɡɑn/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌdoʊˈdɛkəˌɡɑn/
ΚΠ
1849 Guardian 733/2 This roof is boarded.., and its section forms a semidodecagon.
semi-egg n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɛɡ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɛɡ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɛɡ/
ΚΠ
1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. I. 17 Cavities resembling the form of a semi-egg when cut longitudinally.
semi-fistular adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfɪstjᵿlə/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈfɪstʃᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfɪstʃələr/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfɪʃtʃələr/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfɪstʃələr/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfɪʃtʃələr/
ΚΠ
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Semifistular Flowers, are such, whose upper~most part resembles a Pipe, cut off obliquely; as in Aristolochia or Birth-wort.
semi-hexagon n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌhɛksəɡ(ə)n/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌhɛksəˌɡɑn/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌhɛksəˌɡɑn/
ΚΠ
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 528 A handsome court-house 100 feet by 50, with a semi-hexagon at each end.
semi-hexagonal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪhɛkˈsaɡn̩(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmɪhɛkˈsaɡən(ə)l/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌhɛkˈsæɡən(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌhɛkˈsæɡən(ə)l/
semi-lens n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪlɛnz/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌlɛnz/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌlɛnz/
ΚΠ
1832 Nat. Philos. (Libr. Useful Knowl.) II. Optical Instruments xvii. 57 The divided object-glass micrometer is composed of two semilenses.
semi-octagonal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɒkˈtaɡn̩(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɒkˈtaɡən(ə)l/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɑkˈtæɡən(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɑkˈtæɡən(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1751 C. Labelye Descr. Westm. Bridge 23 A Semi-octogonal rusticated Turret.
† semi-orb n. [Latin sēmiorbis] Obsolete
ΚΠ
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 371 The belly of the partition which is like a semiorbe stands out into it.
semi-ovoidal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəʊˈvɔɪdl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌoʊˈvɔɪd(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌoʊˈvɔɪd(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1851 R. R. Madden Shrines & Sepulchres I. 229 The interior assumes a semi-ovoidal shape, or that of which the section will be a parabola.
semi-pyramidical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪpɪrəˈmɪdᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌpɪrəˈmɪdᵻk(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌpɪrəˈmɪdᵻk(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1843 M. H. Bloxam Princ. Gothic Eccles. Archit. (ed. 5) 133 A semi-pyramidical projection.
semi-rotund n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪrə(ʊ)ˌtʌnd/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪroʊˌtənd/
,
/ˈsɛmiroʊˌtənd/
ΚΠ
1652 News from Lowe Countreys 2 As an Ecliptick Line doth go, To the Antartick Pole, and frames Two semi-Rotunds.
1856 W. Clark tr. J. van der Hoeven Handbk. Zool. I. 813 Shell elliptical..with aperture semirotund.
(b) Mathematics. Designating a bisected line, arc, area, segment, etc., or the half of a definite quantity.
(i)
semi-angle n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌaŋɡl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌæŋɡ(ə)l/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌæŋɡ(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1766 Philos. Trans. 1765 (Royal Soc.) 55 213 Let the semi-angle of the lever be 84°:03′.
semi-base n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪbeɪs/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbeɪs/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbeɪs/
ΚΠ
1666 J. Collins Let. in S. P. Rigaud & S. J. Rigaud Corr. Sci. Men 17th Cent. (1841) (modernized text) II. 461 The semibase of a cylinder.
1796 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. at Cycloid The semi-circumf[erence] DGC = semi-base AC.
semi-circumference n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪsəˌkʌmf(ə)rəns/
,
/ˈsɛmɪsəˌkʌmf(ə)rn̩s/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪsərˌkəmf(ə)rəns/
,
/ˈsɛmisərˌkəmf(ə)rəns/
ΚΠ
1661 S. Partridge Descr. Double Scale Proportion 80 First get the Semidiameter, which in this example is 3, 5 inches, and also the Semicircumference, which here is 11.
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 83 Such a resistance will stop the wheel, as it is equal to the effort of all the buckets in one semi-circumference filled with water.
semi-circumvolution n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪsəːkəmvəˌl(j)uːʃn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsərkəmvəˌluʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsərkəmvəˌluʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1761 Brit. Mag. 2 642 Two semi-circumvolutions, or segments, of this curve.
semi-cycloid n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌsʌɪklɔɪd/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsaɪˌklɔɪd/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsaɪˌklɔɪd/
ΚΠ
1695 J. Wallis in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 19 111 The Semicycloid Figure.
1796 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. at Cycloid Two equal semicycloids OP, OQ.
semi-perimeter n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪpᵻˌrɪmᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪpəˌrɪmədər/
,
/ˈsɛmipəˌrɪmədər/
ΚΠ
1828 O. Gregory Hutton's Course Math. (ed. 9) II. 328 Let p denote the semiperimeter.
† semi-perimetry n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1571 T. Digges in L. Digges's Geom. Pract.: Pantometria iii. sig. V j v From the Semiperimetry of the triangle deducte euery side.
semi-periphery n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪpᵻˌrɪf(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪpəˌrɪf(ə)ri/
,
/ˈsɛmipəˌrɪf(ə)ri/
ΚΠ
1610 W. Folkingham Feudigraphia ii. viii. 61 Multiply the semiperipherie by the perpendicular.
1771 J. Landen in Philos. Trans. 1770 (Royal Soc.) 60 443 The semi-periphery of the circle.
semi-quadrangle n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌkwɒdraŋɡl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkwɑˌdræŋɡ(ə)l/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkwɑˌdræŋɡ(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1789 T. Taylor tr. Proclus Philos. & Math. Comm. II. 32 That which has the vertical angle double of each at the base, as a semiquadrangle.
semi-segment n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌsɛɡm(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsɛɡmənt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsɛɡmənt/
ΚΠ
1743 W. Emerson Doctr. Fluxions 226 Distance of the Center of Gravity of the Semi-segment PADQ from QD.
(ii)
semi-ordinate n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌɔːdᵻnət/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌɔːdn̩ət/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌɔrdn̩ət/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌɔrdn̩ət/
in conic sections.
ΚΠ
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Ordinate..a Line in any Conick Section drawn at Right Angles to, and bissected by the Axis, and reaching from one side of the Section to the other; the half of which is properly the Semi-ordinate.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Parabola The Squares of the Semi-ordinates are to each other as the Abscisses.
semi-parameter n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪpəˌramᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪpəˌræmədər/
,
/ˈsɛmipəˌræmədər/
ΚΠ
1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy II. iii. 22 He found..that the parameter, or latus rectum, of the conic section of the said path..and that the semi-parameter [etc.].
1814 J. Playfair Outl. Nat. Philos. II. i. iii. 43 The solid contained by the radius of curvature, at any point in an ellipsis, and the square of the semiparameter of the greater axis, is equal to the cube of the normal at the same point.
semi-transverse n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪtrɑːnzˈvəːs/
,
/ˌsɛmɪtranzˈvəːs/
,
/ˈsɛmɪtrɑːnzˌvəːs/
,
/ˈsɛmɪtranzˌvəːs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌtrænzˈvərs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌtrænzˈvərs/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌtrænzˌvərs/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌtrænzˌvərs/
ΚΠ
1673 T. Strode Let. 28 July in H. Oldenburg Corr. (1975) X. 104 To every Ellipse there are many of these sorts of Triangles (sometimes one of the Sides may be rationall) as the semitransverse axe may be divided into rationall parts.
1743 W. Emerson Doctr. Fluxions 203 In the Hyperboloid BM, described by revolving about AP, let the Semi-conjugæ = b, Semi-transverse AB = a.
1814 J. Playfair Outl. Nat. Philos. II. i. ix. 177 The semi-transverse axes of the orbits.
(c)
semi-convergence n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkənˈvəːdʒ(ə)ns/
,
/ˈsɛmɪkənˌvəːdʒ(ə)ns/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkənˈvərdʒəns/
,
/ˌsɛmikənˈvərdʒəns/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪkənˌvərdʒəns/
,
/ˈsɛmikənˌvərdʒəns/
ΚΠ
1902 E. T. Whittaker Course Mod. Anal. 12 Absolute convergence and semi-convergence.
semi-convergent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkənˈvəːdʒ(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkənˈvərdʒənt/
,
/ˌsɛmikənˈvərdʒənt/
applied to a series the sum of whose terms converges while the sum of the moduli of its terms diverges.
ΚΠ
1872 Monthly Notices Royal Astron. Soc. XXXII. 262 Most functions are expansible in an ascending (convergent) series of the form A0 + A1x + A2x2 +…, and a descending (semi-convergent) series of the form B1/x − B2/x2 + B3/x3 −…
1902 E. T. Whittaker Mod. Anal. 12 Series which though convergent are not absolutely convergent (i.e. the series themselves converge, but the series of moduli diverge) are said to be semi-convergent or conditionally convergent.
1959 A. Zygmund Trigonometric Series (ed. 2) II. iv. 175 If f is continuous, and S[f] is uniformly semi-convergent to f from below, then S[f] converges uniformly.
semi-difference n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌdɪf(ə)rəns/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌdɪf(ə)rn̩s/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌdɪf(ə)rəns/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌdɪf(ə)rəns/
half the difference between two quantities.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > [noun] > division > result of > remainder > after subtraction
differencec1392
resolvend1667
arithmetical ratio1718
semi-difference1766
1766 Philos. Trans. 1765 (Royal Soc.) 55 210 ACK is the semi-sum, and DAI the semi-difference of the angles CAI, CIA.
1873 Rep. Brit. Assoc. i. 23 The semi~sum and semidifference of the numbers to be multiplied.
semi-infinite adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɪnfᵻnət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɪnfənət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɪnfənət/
limited in one direction and extending to infinity in the other.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > shape or figure > [adjective] > having specific property
hypotenusal?a1560
oblique?a1560
local1673
focal1676
octantal1777
symmetrical1794
radical1848
self-conjugate1855
quadric1856
stellated1859
periphractic1881
homoeoidal1883
tridiametral1891
one-sided1893
semi-infinite1903
simplicial1913
mirror-symmetric1952
1903 Proc. Royal Soc. 72 128 A ‘semi-infinite’ isotropic elastic solid, i.e., a solid bounded only by a plane.
semi-major axis n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪmeɪdʒər ˈaksɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌmeɪdʒər ˈæksəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌmeɪdʒər ˈæksəs/
(also semi-minor axis) half of the length of the longest (shortest) diameter of an ellipse.
ΚΠ
1850 J. Haan Analytical Geom. & Conic Sections v. 45 The equation to the ellipse [is]..y2/b2 + x2/a2 = 1.., a and b being termed respectively the semi-axis major and the semi-axis minor.]
1899 J. H. Grace & F. Rosenberg Coordinate Geom. iv. 50 Find the length of the ordinates of each of the curves in Ex. 3 corresponding to the middle points of the semi-major axis.
1909 C. N. Schmall First Course Analyt. Geom. viii. 191 Prove that the semi-minor axis is a mean proportional between the parts of tangent cut off.
1962 D. R. Corson & P. Lorrain Introd. Electromagn. Fields iv. 175 A charge Q is uniformly distributed throughout the volume of an ellipsoid of revolution whose semi-major axis is a and whose semi-minor axes are b.
1977 Whitaker's Almanack 156/1 The squares of the periodic times vary as the cubes of the semi-major axes.
semi-quadrantally adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkwɒˈdrantl̩i/
,
/ˌsɛmɪkwɒˈdrantəli/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkwɑˈdræn(t)l̩i/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkwɑˈdræn(t)l̩i/
from 0° to 45°.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > angle > [adverb] > from zero to forty-five degrees
semi-quadrantally1873
1873 Rep. Brit. Assoc. i. 69 Logarithmic sines, tangents, and secants, semi-quadrantally arranged, to every minute, to five places.
semi-regular n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈrɛɡjᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈrɛɡjələr/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈrɛɡjələr/
(see quot. 1867).
ΚΠ
1867 W. T. Brande & G. W. Cox Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art (new ed.) III. 17/2 The semi-regular polyhedrons of Archimedes, the corners of which are equal and similar to one another, but formed by regular polygons of different kinds.
semi-sum n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪsʌm/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsəm/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsəm/
half the sum of two or more quantities.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > [noun] > summing or addition > result of > half of
semi-sum1766
1766 W. Ludlam in Philos. Trans. 1765 (Royal Soc.) 55 210 ACK is the semi-sum, and DAI the semi-difference of the angles CAI, CIA.
1873 Rep. Brit. Assoc. i. 23 The semi~sum and semidifference of the numbers to be multiplied.
semi-tangent n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌtan(d)ʒ(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌtændʒənt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌtændʒənt/
the tangent of half an arc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > line > [noun] > tangent
touchline1551
adscript1636
tangent1655
focal tangent1706
semi-tangent1823
tractor1867
bitangent1873
slope1889
1823 J. Mitchell Dict. Math. & Physical Sci. at Projection Any arc EMF of a great circle is projected into the sum of its semi-tangents.
(d) Natural History. With adjectives and nouns descriptive of shape in the contour or marking of natural objects.
semi-annular n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈanjᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈænjələr/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈænjələr/
of the form of a half-ring.
ΚΠ
1681 N. Grew Musæum Regalis Societatis i. ii. 27 Another Boar-Tusk, somewhat slenderer, and of semiannular Figure.
1844 J. J. G. Wilkinson tr. E. Swedenborg Animal Kingdom II. iii. 91 The semiannular cartilages.
semi-collar n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌkɒlə/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkɑlər/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkɑlər/
ΚΠ
1869 Ibis 5 409 The throat is a pure white, which is met below by a rufous semicollar.
semi-cordate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɔːdeɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɔrˌdeɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɔrˌdeɪt/
ΚΠ
1775 J. Jenkinson Linnæus' Generic & Specific Descr. Brit. Plants Gloss. Semi~cordate, half cordate.
1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. III. xxxv. 641 The wings..in several of the Heteropterous Hemiptera..may..be termed semicordate or semiovate.
a1836 Encycl. Metrop. (1845) XXIII. 640/2 The posterior pair [of the lamina in Pseudoboa Cœrulea] large, semicordate.
semi-coronate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒrənət/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈkɒrəneɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɔrənət/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɔrəˌneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɔrənət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɔrəˌneɪt/
(also semi-coronated) having a semicircle of spikes, bristles, etc.
ΚΠ
1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. IV. 354 Semicoronate Prolegs.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 446/1 Shell turreted, fusiform, costated, and semi~coronated.
semi-coronet n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒrənᵻt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈkɒrənɛt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪkɒrəˈnɛt/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌkɒrənᵻt/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌkɒrənɛt/
,
/ˈsɛmɪkɒrəˌnɛt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkɔrəˈnɛt/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkɔrəˌnɛt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkɔrəˈnɛt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkɔrəˌnɛt/
ΚΠ
1817 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. (1818) II. xxi. 253 Several larvæ of butterflies, distinguished at their head by a semicoronet of strong spines.
semi-fascia n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfaʃɪə/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌfaʃɪə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfæʃ(i)ə/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌfæʃ(i)ə/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfæʃ(i)ə/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌfæʃ(i)ə/
ΚΠ
1861 H. Hagen Synopsis Neuroptera N. Amer. 45 A large, hyaline, oblique semi~fascia about the middle on the anal margin.
semi-fasciated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfaʃɪeɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfæʃiˌeɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfæʃiˌeɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1803 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. IV. 472 Semifasciated Sparus.
semi-ring n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪrɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌrɪŋ/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌrɪŋ/
a band, etc. roughly semicircular or extending halfway round a part or an organ.
ΚΠ
1841 H. Miller Old Red Sandstone (1887) vii. 134 This huge semi-ring of fossiliferous clays.
1896 A. Newton et al. Dict. Birds: Pt. IV iv. 941 The first and second bronchial semirings.
(e) Natural History. Denoting that a part has a certain form or character:
(i) for half the extent, or along half the length, etc. of an organ, ‘half-way’.
semi-adherent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪədˈhɪərənt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪədˈhɪərn̩t/
,
/ˌsɛmɪadˈhɪərənt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪadˈhɪərn̩t/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌædˈhɪrənt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌædˈhɛrənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌædˈhɪrənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌædˈhɛrənt/
ΚΠ
1857 A. Gray First Lessons Bot. 230 (Gloss.) Semi-adherent, as the calyx or ovary of Purslane.
semi-adnate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈadneɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈædˌneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈædˌneɪt/
ΚΠ
1876 J. Harley Royle's Man. Materia Med. (ed. 6) 431 Ovary semi-adnate.
Categories »
semi-amplexicaul adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪamˈplɛksᵻkɔːl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌæmˈplɛksəˌkɔl/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌæmˈplɛksəˌkɑl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌæmˈplɛksəˌkɔl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌæmˈplɛksəˌkɑl/
semi-anatropal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəˈnatrəpl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈnætrəp(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈnætrəp(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1846 J. Lindley Veg. Kingdom 368 Ovules..amphitropal or semi~anatropal.
semi-anatropous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəˈnatrəpəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈnætrəpəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈnætrəpəs/
(see quot. 1839).
ΚΠ
1839 J. Lindley Introd. Bot. (ed. 3) i. ii. 215 There is the amphitropous ovule, whose foraminal and chalazal ends are transverse with respect to the hilum, which is connected with the latter by a short raphe; and the semianatropous, which is only different from the last, in the ovule being parallel with the funiculus instead of being at right angles with it.
semi-appressed adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəˈprɛst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈprɛst/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈprɛst/
ΚΠ
1857 T. Moore Handbk. Brit. Ferns (ed. 3) 43 Scales..semi-appressed.
semi-bifid adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈbʌɪfɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈbɪfɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈbaɪfᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈbaɪfᵻd/
ΚΠ
1775 J. Jenkinson Linnæus' Generic & Specific Descr. Brit. Plants Gloss. Semibifid, half way divided into two.
semi-costiferous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkɒˈstɪf(ə)rəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkɑˈstɪf(ə)rəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkɑˈstɪf(ə)rəs/
ΚΠ
1877 E. Coues & J. A. Allen Monogr. N. Amer. Rodentia (U.S. Geol. Surv. Territories, vol. XI) 549 Seventh cervical semicostiferous, without vertebrarterial canal.
semi-equitant adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɛkwᵻt(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɛkwədənt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɛkwətnt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɛkwədənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɛkwətnt/
ΚΠ
1900 B. D. Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms Semiequitant, half-equitant.
Categories »
semi-erect adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪᵻˈrɛkt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈrɛk(t)/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪiˈrɛk(t)/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈrɛk(t)/
,
/ˌsɛmiiˈrɛk(t)/
semi-quinquifid adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkwɪŋkwᵻfɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkwɪŋkwəˌfɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkwɪŋkwəˌfɪd/
ΚΠ
1775 J. Jenkinson Linnæus' Generic & Specific Descr. Brit. Plants Gloss. Semi~quinquifid, half way divided into five.
semi-sexfid adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɛksfɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɛksˌfɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɛksˌfɪd/
ΚΠ
1819 J. M. Good et al. Pantologia (new ed.) Semisexfid Calyx, in botany, half-six-cleft.
(ii) on one side only, or so as to exhibit the half of a particular figure. Sometimes represented by 1/ 2, as 1/ 2-hastate, 1/ 2-sagittate.
Categories »
semi-cordate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɔːdeɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɔrˌdeɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɔrˌdeɪt/
(also semi-cordated)
semi-crescentic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkrᵻˈsɛntɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkrəˈsɛn(t)ɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmikrəˈsɛn(t)ɪk/
ΚΠ
1836–9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. II. 390/1 A semi-crescentic membrane.
semi-hastate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈhasteɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈhæˌsteɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈhæˌsteɪt/
ΚΠ
1853 J. F. Royle Man. Materia Med. (ed. 2) 402 Stipules..semihastate, spreading, minute.
semi-lanceolate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈlɑːnsɪələt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈlansɪələt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈlɑːnsɪəleɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈlansɪəleɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlænsiəˌleɪt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlænsiələt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlænsiəˌleɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlænsiələt/
ΚΠ
1900 B. D. Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms Semilanceolate, half-lanceolate, longitudinally divided.
semi-lenticular adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪlɛnˈtɪkjᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌlɛnˈtɪkjələr/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌlɛnˈtɪkjələr/
ΚΠ
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 99 A dark blue limestone, of a conchoidal or semilenticular form.
semi-orbicular adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɔːˈbɪkjᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɔrˈbɪkjələr/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɔrˈbɪkjələr/
ΚΠ
1775 J. Jenkinson Linnæus' Generic & Specific Descr. Brit. Plants Gloss. Semiorbicular, half orbicular.
1860 L. Reeve Elem. Conchol. I. 185 Aperture semiorbicular.
semi-orbiculate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɔːˈbɪkjᵿlət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɔrˈbɪkjəˌleɪt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɔrˈbɪkjələt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɔrˈbɪkjəˌleɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɔrˈbɪkjələt/
ΚΠ
1816 T. Brown Elements Conchol. 163 Semi-orbiculate, in the shape of a half globe.
semi-pectinate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɛktᵻnət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛktəˌneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛktənət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛktəˌneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛktənət/
ΚΠ
1847 Johnston in Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 2 v. 228 The 5th [joint]..furnished beneath with three or four pairs of neat semi-pectinate processes.
semi-pectinated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɛktᵻneɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛktəˌneɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛktəˌneɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1848 Johnston in Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 2 vi. 308 A pair of semipectinated processes or combs.
semi-penniform adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɛnᵻfɔːm/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛnəˌfɔrm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛnəˌfɔrm/
ΚΠ
1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. IV. xliii. 178 A pair of semipenniform muscles.
semi-pinnate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɪneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈpɪnᵻt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɪˌneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɪnᵻt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɪˌneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɪnᵻt/
ΚΠ
1878 F. J. Bell & E. R. Lankester tr. C. Gegenbaur Elements Compar. Anat. 338 The right gill is generally developed on one side only, so that it is semi-pinnate, owing to the disappearance of the second row of lamellæ.
semi-reniform adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈrɛnᵻfɔːm/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈrɛnəˌfɔrm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈrɛnəˌfɔrm/
ΚΠ
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. II. 1048 Semi-reniform, reniform on one side only.
semi-sagittate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsadʒᵻteɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsædʒəˌteɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsædʒəˌteɪt/
ΚΠ
1806 J. Galpine Synoptical Compend Brit. Bot. 329 Stipulæ semi-sagittate.
semi-sagittated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsadʒᵻteɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsædʒəˌteɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsædʒəˌteɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1804 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. V. 361 Semisagittated teeth.
semi-terete adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪtəˈriːt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈtɛˌrit/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪtəˈrit/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈtɛˌrit/
,
/ˌsɛmitəˈrit/
ΚΠ
c1843 J. Torrey Catal. Plants in D. Jackson & M. L. Spence Exped. J. C. frémont (1970) I. 306 Leaves alternate, linear, fleshy and almost semiterete.
1857 T. Moore Handbk. Brit. Ferns (ed. 3) 186 Stipes..semiterete.
(f) In Building, designating structural forms of half the full width, breadth, or girth, resulting from (usually) vertical or longitudinal bisection.
semi-arch n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪɑːtʃ/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌɑrtʃ/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌɑrtʃ/
ΚΠ
1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 295 To determine the centre of gravity of the semi-arch.
semi-ball n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪbɔːl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbɔl/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbɑl/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbɔl/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbɑl/
a ball, an urn in half-relief.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun] > other ornaments
pommela1300
crest1430
finial1448
balloon1592
brattishingc1593
knob1610
cartouche1611
ogive1611
fret1626
galace1663
acroterion1664
paternoster1728
semi-urn1742
patera1776
purfling1780
sailing course1807
vesica piscis (also piscium)1809
antefix1819
vesica1820
garland1823
stop1825
Aaron's rod1830
headwork1831
Vitruvian scroll1837
hip knob1838
stelea1840
ball-flower1840
notch-head1843
brandishing1846
buckle1848
cat's-head1848
bucrane1854
cresting1869
semi-ball1875
canephorus1880
crest-board1881
wave pattern1905
husk1934
foliate head1939
green man1939
1875 R. R. Brash Eccl. Archit. Ireland 99 A bold label..bearing a line of semi-balls.
Categories »
semi-barrel vault n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈbarəl vɔːlt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈbarl̩ vɔːlt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈbarəl vɒlt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈbarl̩ vɒlt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈbɛrəl ˌvɔlt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈbɛrəl ˌvɑlt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈbɛrəl ˌvɔlt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈbɛrəl ˌvɑlt/
semi-basement n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌbeɪsm(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbeɪsmənt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbeɪsmənt/
a basement sunk only part of its depth below the ground surface.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > types of room by situation > [noun] > underground room or cellar
undercroft1395
vault1396
cellar?a1400
siler1548
crypta1563
hypogee1656
hypogeum1706
souterrain1733
favissa1736
cellar room1743
undervaulting1823
serdab1842
semi-basement1905
dunny1906
1905 Daily Chron. 18 Mar. 3/4 In the semi-basement are carpenters' shops, laboratory, &c.
semi-bay n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪbeɪ/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbeɪ/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbeɪ/
ΚΠ
a1878 G. G. Scott Lect. Mediæval Archit. (1879) I. 118 Not, as usual, embracing two bays, but two of these semi-bays.
semi-beam n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪbiːm/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbim/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbim/
= cantilever n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > other means of passage or access > [noun] > bridge > parts of
pierlOE
bridge foota1450
heada1450
staddling1461
foota1500
bridge end1515
jowel1516
causey1523
starling?c1684
rib1735
spur1736
icebreaker1744
jetty1772
cutwater1776
roadway1798
sleeper1823
water-breaker1823
centrya1834
stem1835
suspension-tower1842
cantilever1850
semi-beam1850
pylon1851
half-chess1853
span1862
sway-bracing1864
needle-beam1867
ice apron1871
newel1882
flood-arch1891
needle girder1898
sway-brace1909
trough flooring1911
1850 E. Clark Britannia & Conway Bridges I. 276 The semi-beam, or cantilever,..has to support half the weight of the beam..suspended from its extremity.
1908 J. G. Horner Encycl. Pract. Engin. Semi-Beam.—A beam supported at one end only. A cantilever.
semi-channel n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌtʃanl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌtʃæn(ə)l/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌtʃæn(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1728 R. Morris Ess. Anc. Archit. 52 The two outward, or Semi-Channels.
semi-counter-arch n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌkaʊntə(r)ɑːtʃ/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkaʊn(t)ərˌɑrtʃ/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkaʊn(t)ərˌɑrtʃ/
ΚΠ
1751 C. Labelye Descr. Westm. Bridge 83 Two Semicounter Arches butting against the opposite Side of the..Piers.
semi-cross-rib n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌkrɒsrɪb/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkrɔsˌrɪb/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkrɑsˌrɪb/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkrɔsˌrɪb/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkrɑsˌrɪb/
ΚΠ
1835 R. Willis Remarks Archit. Middle Ages vii. 79 The semi-cross rib.
semi-cupola n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌkjuːpələ/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌkjuːpl̩ə/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkjupələ/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkəpələ/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkjupələ/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkəpələ/
ΚΠ
1869 H. F. Tozer Res. Highlands of Turkey I. 79 In the transepts are semi~cupolas.
semi-engaged adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪᵻnˈɡeɪdʒd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɛnˈɡeɪdʒd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪᵻŋˈɡeɪdʒd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɛŋˈɡeɪdʒd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪᵻnˈɡeɪdʒd/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɛnˈɡeɪdʒd/
,
/ˌsɛmiᵻnˈɡeɪdʒd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɛnˈɡeɪdʒd/
(of a column) attached to a wall so that half its diameter projects.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > column > [adjective] > semi-column or inserted
inserted1728
semicolumnar1793
attached1879
semi-engaged1886
1886 R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. II. 533 A hexastyle portico of semi-engaged columns.
Categories »
semi-girder n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌɡəːdə/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌɡərdər/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌɡərdər/
= semi-beam n.
semi-groove n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪɡruːv/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌɡruv/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌɡruv/
ΚΠ
1886 R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. I. 273 The semi-groove or ‘rebate’ which is cut..along the..edge.
semi-relief n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪrᵻliːf/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪrəˌlif/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪriˌlif/
,
/ˈsɛmirəˌlif/
,
/ˈsɛmiriˌlif/
half-relief, mezzo-rilievo.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > plastic art > [noun] > relief > half-relief
mezzo-relievo1598
semi-relief1703
demi-relief1874
1703 R. Neve City & Countrey Purchaser 30 Embossments, which resembles ..Beads in Semi-relief.
semi-roll n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪrəʊl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌroʊl/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌroʊl/
ΚΠ
a1878 G. G. Scott Lect. Mediæval Archit. (1879) II. 80 The rib may be amplified by a central semi-roll moulding.
semi-rotunda n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪrə(ʊ)ˌtʌndə/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪroʊˌtəndə/
,
/ˈsɛmiroʊˌtəndə/
ΚΠ
1797 T. Holcroft tr. F. L. Stolberg Trav. II. xlii. 138 It rested on two semi rotundas.
semi-shaft n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌʃɑːft/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌʃaft/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌʃæft/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌʃæft/
ΚΠ
1853 J. Ruskin Stones of Venice III. Indices x. 247 Small pilasters with semi-shafts at their sides.
semi-transept n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌtrɑːnsɛpt/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌtransɛpt/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌtræn(t)ˌsɛpt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌtræn(t)ˌsɛpt/
ΚΠ
1783 T. Warton Specimen Hist. Oxfordshire (ed. 2) 2 There is a proportionable lateral projection, or southern semitransept.
semi-urn n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪəːn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌərn/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌərn/
a ball, an urn in half-relief.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun] > other ornaments
pommela1300
crest1430
finial1448
balloon1592
brattishingc1593
knob1610
cartouche1611
ogive1611
fret1626
galace1663
acroterion1664
paternoster1728
semi-urn1742
patera1776
purfling1780
sailing course1807
vesica piscis (also piscium)1809
antefix1819
vesica1820
garland1823
stop1825
Aaron's rod1830
headwork1831
Vitruvian scroll1837
hip knob1838
stelea1840
ball-flower1840
notch-head1843
brandishing1846
buckle1848
cat's-head1848
bucrane1854
cresting1869
semi-ball1875
canephorus1880
crest-board1881
wave pattern1905
husk1934
foliate head1939
green man1939
1742 R. North & M. North Life F. North 84 A Monument of white Marble..being an oblong Semiurn upon a large Face of a Cube.
semi-vault n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪvɔːlt/
,
/ˈsɛmɪvɒlt/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌvɔlt/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌvɑlt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌvɔlt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌvɑlt/
ΚΠ
1824 O. Gregory Hutton's Course Math. (ed. 8) II. 176 The centre of gravity of the semi-vault.
a1878 G. G. Scott Lect. Mediæval Archit. (1879) I. 59 The continuous semi-vault would do away with clerestory windows.
(g) Crystallography.
semi-prismated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈprɪzmeɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈprɪzˌmeɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈprɪzˌmeɪdᵻd/
(see quots.).
ΚΠ
1816 R. Jameson Treat. External Characters Minerals (ed. 2) 192 A crystal is named..semi-prismated..when only the half of the edges on the common basis are obliterated by lateral planes.
semi-tesseral adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈtɛs(ə)rəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈtɛs(ə)rl̩/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈtɛsərəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈtɛsərəl/
ΚΠ
1883 M. F. Heddle in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 355/2 Two semitesseral forms with parallel faces occur... The two other semitesseral forms, the pentagonal dodecahedron and the pentagonal icositetrahedron, both bounded by irregular pentagons, have not yet been observed in nature.
semi-tessular adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈtɛsjᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈtɛsjələr/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈtɛsjələr/
ΚΠ
1858 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Semi~tessular, term applied to a combination of the tessular system, into which the forms enter with only half the number of their faces.
(h) Heraldry. = demi- prefix 1, half adj. 10.
semi-chevron n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈʃɛvrən/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈʃɛvrɒn/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌʃɛvrən/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌʃɛvrɒn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈʃɛvrən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈʃɛvrən/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌʃɛvrən/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌʃɛvrən/
ΚΠ
1864 C. Boutell Heraldry Hist. & Pop. (ed. 3) xiv. 147 The Dexter semi-chevrons are shown in combination with the sinister semi-saltire.
Categories »
semi-saltire n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɔːltʌɪə/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈsɒltʌɪə/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌsɔːltʌɪə/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌsɒltʌɪə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɔlˌtaɪ(ə)r/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɑlˌtaɪ(ə)r/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɔlˌtaɪ(ə)r/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɑlˌtaɪ(ə)r/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsɔlˌtaɪ(ə)r/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsɑlˌtaɪ(ə)r/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsɔlˌtaɪ(ə)r/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsɑlˌtaɪ(ə)r/
(i) Printing.
Thesaurus »
Categories »
† semi-quadratures n. Obsolete crotchets, square brackets.
Categories »
semi-quotes n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪkwəʊts/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkwoʊts/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkwoʊts/
colloquial single quotation-marks (‘ ’).
c. = to the extent of (only) a half, imperfect(ly), incomplete(ly).
(a) With adjectives and nouns expressing kinds or degrees of composition, consistency, texture, colour. (See also 2a(d), 2b(g), 2c(j).)
semi-coagulated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəʊˈaɡjᵿleɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkoʊˈæɡjəˌleɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkoʊˈæɡjəˌleɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1833 J. Forbes et al. Cycl. Pract. Med. I. 386/1 Semi-coagulated, in respect to consistence.
semi-concrete adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒŋkriːt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkɑnˈkrit/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkɑnˈkrit/
ΚΠ
1851 S. D. Gross Pract. Treat. Dis. Bladder i. vi. 259 They are of a pale yellowish colour, rounded or spherical in their shape, of a semi-concrete consistence.
semi-digested adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdʌɪˈdʒɛstᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪdᵻˈdʒɛstᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌdaɪˈdʒɛstəd/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˈdʒɛstəd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌdaɪˈdʒɛstəd/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˈdʒɛstəd/
ΚΠ
1844 G. Bird Urinary Deposits 150 The vomiting of the meal in a semi-digested state.
semi-ductile adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdʌktʌɪl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdəktl/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdəkˌtaɪl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdəktl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdəkˌtaɪl/
ΚΠ
1796 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) II. 453 A grey semi-ductil Regulus.
semi-friable adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfrʌɪəbl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfraɪəb(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfraɪəb(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1834 J. Forbes tr. R. T. H. Laennec Treat. Dis. Chest (ed. 4) 157 An opaque, very dry, semi-friable matter.
semi-fused adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfjuːzd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfjuzd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfjuzd/
ΚΠ
1876 in Ure's Dict. (1878) IV. 599 By grinding the semi-fused mass and treating it with water.
semi-fusion n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfjuːʒn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfjuʒ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfjuʒ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1791 J. L. Macie in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 81 372 A semi-fusion, or softening of the whole mass.
1855 J. Phillips Man. Geol. 260 The induration and semifusion of sandstones.
semi-grainy adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɡreɪni/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɡreɪni/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɡreɪni/
ΚΠ
1893 Times 13 Dec. 3/5 Semi-grainy brownish crystallized.
semi-liquid adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈlɪkwɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlɪkwᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlɪkwᵻd/
ΚΠ
1684 T. Burnet Theory of Earth i. 125 While the mass was liquid or semiliquid.
1963 D. W. Humphries & E. E. Humphries tr. H. Termier & G. Termier Erosion & Sedimentation x. 193 Some marly deposits still contain 41·3% of water, which results in numerous landslips in this plastic, semi-liquid material.
semi-lucent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈluːsnt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlus(ə)nt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlus(ə)nt/
semi-matt adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmat/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmæt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmæt/
ΚΠ
1967 E. Chambers Photolitho-offset iii. 27 Some smooth, semi-matt prints give fair results, but, in general, sepia tone prints, matt-surface prints and hand-coloured prints should be avoided.
semi-membranous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmɛmbrənəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɛmbrənəs/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌmɛmˈbreɪnəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɛmbrənəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌmɛmˈbreɪnəs/
ΚΠ
1846 J. D. Dana U.S. Exploring Exped.: Zoophytes 625 Thin, semi~membranous partitions.
semi-moist adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmɔɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɔɪst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɔɪst/
ΚΠ
1967 E. Chambers Photolitho-offset xvii. 259 The soft, tacky gelatinous Everdamp paper makes for easier working, being semi-moist and ready for use.
semi-opalescent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˌəʊpəˈlɛsnt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌoʊpəˈlɛs(ə)nt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌoʊpəˈlɛs(ə)nt/
ΚΠ
1830 C. Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 213 This sinter has often a beautiful semi-opalescent lustre.
semi-pasty adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpeɪsti/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpeɪsti/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpeɪsti/
ΚΠ
1851 Art Jrnl. Illustr. Catal. p. iij* At a temperature but just sufficient to maintain it in a semi-pasty state.
semi-pellucid adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪpᵻˈl(j)uːsᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪpɛˈl(j)uːsᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪpəˈl(j)usəd/
,
/ˌsɛmipəˈl(j)usəd/
ΚΠ
a1728 J. Woodward Attempt Nat. Hist. Fossils Eng. (1729) i. 32 A light grey Semi~pellucid Flint, 'Tis of much the same Complexion with the common Indian Achate.
1867 H. Macmillan Bible Teachings (1870) xii. 247 The purest agates..are not perfectly transparent; they are only semi-pellucid.
semi-pellucidity n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪpɛljᵿˈsɪdᵻti/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌpɛljəˈsɪdᵻdi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌpɛljəˈsɪdᵻdi/
ΚΠ
1828–32 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Semipellucidity, the quality or state of being imperfectly transparent.
semi-petrified adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɛtrᵻfʌɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛtrəˌfaɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛtrəˌfaɪd/
semi-plastic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈplastɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈplæstɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈplæstɪk/
ΚΠ
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. xxvi. 211 As they strike her, the semi-plastic mass is impressed with a mould of her side.
semi-purulent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpjʊər(j)ᵿlənt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈpjʊər(j)ᵿln̩t/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpjʊr(j)ələnt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpjʊr(j)ələnt/
ΚΠ
1742 W. Burton in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 42 103 By a semipurulent cancerous Sanies.
semi-putrid adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpjuːtrɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpjutrɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpjutrɪd/
ΚΠ
1763 D. Lysons in Philos. Trans. 1762 (Royal Soc.) 52 639 The kidneys, in one of the subjects, are said to have been found putrid, in the other, semiputrid.
semi-resinous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈrɛzᵻnəs/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈrɛzn̩əs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈrɛzənəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈrɛzənəs/
ΚΠ
1862 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 10 330/2 The semi-resinous material would..resume..the form it was in prior to solution.
semi-translucent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪtranzˈl(j)uːsnt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪtrɑːnzˈl(j)uːsnt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪtransˈl(j)uːsnt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪtrɑːnsˈl(j)uːsnt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌtrænzˈlusənt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌtræn(t)sˈlusənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌtrænzˈlusənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌtræn(t)sˈlusənt/
ΚΠ
1832 Nat. Philos. (Libr. Useful Knowl.) II. Thermom. & Pyrom. i. 9 It consists of a ball and tube of semitranslucent porcelain, highly baked.
semi-volatile adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈvɒlətʌɪl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈvɒlətᵻl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈvɑlədl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈvɑlədl/
ΚΠ
1738 Gentleman's Mag. Mar. 140/2 The grateful Bitter is of a middle Nature, Semivolatile.
(b) In designations of heresies, sects, and schools of thought, expressing partial adherence to the tenets or theories connoted by the second element of the compound.
semi-antiministerial adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˌantɪmɪnᵻˈstɪərɪəl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌænˌtaɪˌmɪnəˈstɪriəl/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌænˌtaɪˌmɪnəˈstɛriəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌæn(t)iˌmɪnəˈstɪriəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌæn(t)iˌmɪnəˈstɛriəl/
ΚΠ
1653 J. Gauden Hieraspistes 190 These Semiantiministeriall adversaries.
semi-Apollinarism n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəˈpɒlᵻnərɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈpɑlənəˌrɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈpɑlənəˌrɪzəm/
ΚΠ
1855 J. B. Mozley Augustinian Doctr. Predest. iii. 100 A semi-Apollinarism in a soul imperfectly connected with the flesh, a semi-Manicheanism in a flesh imperfectly connected with the soul of our Lord.
semi-atheist adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈeɪθɪɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈeɪθiᵻst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈeɪθiᵻst/
ΚΠ
a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) i. xii. §1. 123 This is to be, but a Semi-Atheist.
semi-Augustinian adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɔːɡəˈstɪnɪən/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɔɡəˈstɪniən/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɑɡəˈstɪniən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɔɡəˈstɪniən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɑɡəˈstɪniən/
semi-catholicism n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəˈθɒlᵻsɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkəˈθɑləˌsɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmikəˈθɑləˌsɪzəm/
ΚΠ
1879 M. Pattison Milton xi. 126 The two first Stuarts, coquetting with semi-catholicism at home.
semi-Christianity n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkrɪst(ʃ)ɪˈanᵻti/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkrɪstʃiˈænədi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkrɪstʃiˈænədi/
ΚΠ
1882 J. Snodgrass tr. H. Heine Relig. & Philos. in Germany II. 67 Leibnitz..was well able to defend Christianity in its integrity. I say, in its integrity, for he defended it against semi-Christianity.
1961 C. S. Lewis Let. Feb. (1966) 297 For some people at some moments what I call semi-Christianity may be useful.
semi-conformist n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkənˈfɔːmɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkənˈfɔrməst/
,
/ˌsɛmikənˈfɔrməst/
ΚΠ
1685 D. Granville in Remains (1861) I. 210 A breach..which I do as much dread, as the phanatick and semi-conformists do our union.
semi-Darwinian n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdɑːˈwɪnɪən/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌdɑrˈwɪniən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌdɑrˈwɪniən/
ΚΠ
1903 (title) Doubts about Darwinism. By a Semi-Darwinian.
semi-Gnostic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈnɒstɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈnɑstɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈnɑstɪk/
ΚΠ
1861 J. G. Sheppard Fall of Rome xii. 683 The..semi-Gnostic notions [of the Templars].
semi-infidel n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɪnfᵻd(ɛ)l/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɪnfəˌdɛl/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɪnfəd(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɪnfəˌdɛl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɪnfəd(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1735–6 Gibson in A. C. Fraser Berkeley (1871) vii. 244 We have..little trouble from professed infidels, but a great deal from semi-infidels.
semi-Jesuit n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdʒɛzjʊɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈdʒɛʒʊɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdʒɛʒəwət/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdʒɛzəwət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdʒɛʒəwət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdʒɛzəwət/
ΚΠ
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1954) VII. 328 A Jesuit, or a Semi-Jesuit, a practising Papist, or a Sesqui-Jesuit.
semi-Judaizer n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdʒuːdeɪʌɪzə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdʒudeɪˌaɪzər/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdʒudeɪˌaɪzər/
ΚΠ
1765 A. Maclaine tr. J. L. von Mosheim Eccl. Hist. xvi. ii. iv. §23 This little sect is branded by the Socinian writers, with the ignominious appellation of Semi-Judaizers.
semi-Manicheanism n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪmanᵻˈkiːənɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌmænəˈkiəˌnɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌmænəˈkiəˌnɪzəm/
semi-nonconformist n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪnɒnkənˈfɔːmɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌnɑnkənˈfɔrməst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌnɑnkənˈfɔrməst/
ΚΠ
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 161 How he interceded to qualifie the Arch-Bishop, for a Semi-non conformist.
semi-papist adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpeɪpɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpeɪpᵻst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpeɪpᵻst/
ΚΠ
1857 E. B. Pusey Real Presence (1869) iii. 247 Parker, whom, for his belief in the sacraments, his adversaries called ‘Lutheran or Semi-Papist’.
semi-Pythagorean n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˌpʌɪθaɡəˈriːən/
,
/ˌsɛmɪpʌɪˌθaɡəˈriːən/
,
/ˌsɛmɪpɪˌθaɡəˈriːən/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪpᵻˌθæɡəˈriən/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌpaɪˌθæɡəˈriən/
,
/ˌsɛmipᵻˌθæɡəˈriən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌpaɪˌθæɡəˈriən/
ΚΠ
1865 G. Grote Plato I. i. 15 (note) Alkmæon, a semi-Pythagorean.
semi-quietism n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkwʌɪᵻtɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkwaɪəˌtɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkwaɪəˌtɪzəm/
ΚΠ
1876 Sweeney in Baker's Sancta Sophia (1908) 493 The Quietism of Molinos, and the semi-Quietism of Madame Guyon.
semi-quietist n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkwʌɪᵻtɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkwaɪədəst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkwaɪədəst/
ΚΠ
1882 J. M'Clintock & J. Strong Cycl. Biblical, Theol., & Eccl. Lit. (new ed.) VIII. 847 (Cassell) Fénelon and Madame Guyon .. are .. usually called semi-Quietists.
semi-revolutionist n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrɛvəˈl(j)uːʃn̩ɪst/
,
/ˌsɛmɪrɛvəˈl(j)uːʃənɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌrɛvəˈluʃənəst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌrɛvəˈluʃənəst/
ΚΠ
1812 S. T. Coleridge Lit. Remains (1836) I. 298 Curio, the quondam patriot, reformer, and semi-revolutionist.
semi-Romanism n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈrəʊmənɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈroʊməˌnɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈroʊməˌnɪzəm/
ΚΠ
1847 Edinb. Rev. Oct. 325 Church architecture has been set up under our own eyes as the banner of a more than semi-Romanism.
semi-Sadducee n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsadjᵿsiː/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈsadʒᵿsiː/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsædʒəˌsi/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsædjəˌsi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsædʒəˌsi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsædjəˌsi/
ΚΠ
1691 R. Baxter Glorious Kingdom of Christ 46 You brand all that dissent from you as Semi-Sadducees of the Apostacy.
semi-Sadducism n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsadjᵿsɪz(ə)m/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈsadʒᵿsɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsædʒəˌsɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsædjəˌsɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsædʒəˌsɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsædjəˌsɪzəm/
(also semi-Sadduceism)
ΚΠ
1691 R. Baxter Glorious Kingdom of Christ 42 He that accuseth others of Semi-Sadduceism of the Apostasie.
1691 T. Beverley Thousand Years' Kingdom 4 Antichristian Semi-Sadducism.
semi-separatist n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɛp(ə)rətɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɛp(ə)rədəst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɛp(ə)rədəst/
ΚΠ
1641 R. Greville Disc. Nature Episcopacie ii. vi. 90 The Separist is subdivided too (as they say) into Seperatist, and Semi-seperatist.
1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. 66 There is a sort of Semi-separatists that will heare our Sermons, but not our Common-prayers.
semi-socialism n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsəʊʃəlɪz(ə)m/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈsəʊʃl̩ɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsoʊʃəˌlɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsoʊʃəˌlɪzəm/
ΚΠ
1886 W. Morris in J. W. Mackail Life W. Morris (1899) II. 167 I have a long letter from W. Birchall..about semi-Socialism.
1930 W. K. Hancock Australia xi. 225 The Liberal party still continued to tread..the familiar path of semi-socialism.
semi-socialist n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsəʊʃəlɪst/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈsəʊʃl̩ɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsoʊʃələst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsoʊʃələst/
ΚΠ
1937 A. Koestler Spanish Test. iii. 63 Spain was still, when the People's Front came into power in 1936, a semi-feudal country, with sharp social contrasts.
1939 N. Weyl & S. Weyl Reconq. Mexico iv. 110 Mexico's long indoctrination with semisocialist theory..made leftist political candidates almost a political inevitability.
1970 C. Furtado in I. L. Horowitz Masses in Lat. Amer. ii. 31 As an instrument for domination over a society where some forms of semi-feudal decentralization prevailed, the State emerged in colonial times as a strong bureaucracy.
1976 N. O'Sullivan Conservatism i. 30 A great body of conservative thought..has itself tended to move in a semi-socialist or collectivist direction.
semi-Socinian n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsə(ʊ)ˈsɪnɪən/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌsoʊˈsiniən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌsoʊˈsiniən/
ΚΠ
1834 Tracts for Times No. 22. 4 A semi-socinian or five-quarter latitudinarian.
semi-Tychonic n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪtʌɪˈkɒnɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌtaɪˈkɑnɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌtaɪˈkɑnɪk/
ΚΠ
1786 J. Bonnycastle Introd. Astron. 61 He was abandoned by some of his followers, who chose rather to save this immense labour to the spheres, by ascribing a diurnal motion to the earth; on which account they were distinguished by the name of Semi-Tychonics.
1794 G. Adams Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. IV. xxvii. 2 [Aristotle] speaks of a set of men, who held a system essentially similar to that of the modern Semitychonic.
semi-universalist n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪjuːnᵻˈvəːsəlɪst/
,
/ˌsɛmɪjuːnᵻˈvəːsl̩ɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌjunəˈvərsələst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌjunəˈvərsələst/
ΚΠ
1765 A. Maclaine tr. J. L. von Mosheim Eccl. Hist. xvii. ii. ii. ii. §12 The Reformed Church was immediately divided into Universalists, Semi-universalists, Supralapsarians, and Sublapsarians.
(c) Grammar.
semi-compound adj. and n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌkɒmpaʊnd/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkɑmˌpaʊnd/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkɑmˌpaʊnd/
ΚΠ
1963 F. T. Visser Hist. Syntax Eng. Lang. I. iv. 389 An older semi-compound verb of the type overpass.
1964 Eng. Stud. 45 50 Some combinations..can therefore be considered as compounds or semi-compounds.
semi-consonant n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌkɒnsənənt/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌkɒnsn̩ənt/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkɑnsənənt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkɑnsənənt/
= semivowel n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > vowel > [noun] > semi-vowel
semivocal1530
semivowel1530
demi-vowel1611
vowel-consonant1669
semi-consonant1820
1820 F. Bopp in Ann. Oriental Lit. I. 6 The letter y..in Sanskrit or Gothic words..is always to be considered as a semi-consonant.
1828 J. Walker Crit. Pronouncing Dict. 17/1 These two letters [w and y] are so far from being simple vowels, that they may more properly be called semi-consonant diphthongs.
1888 B. H. Kennedy Rev. Lat. Primer (1900) §6.
semi-deponent n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdᵻˈpəʊnənt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˈpoʊnənt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪdiˈpoʊnənt/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˈpoʊnənt/
,
/ˌsɛmidiˈpoʊnənt/
a verb in Latin of which the tenses of the present group have active forms and those of the perfect group passive forms, as gaudeo, gavisus sum.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > a part of speech > verb > [noun] > deponent verb > semi-deponent
semi-deponent1888
1888 B. H. Kennedy Rev. Lat. Primer (1900) §127 Some Verbs have a Perfect of Passive form with a Present of Active form; they are called semi-deponents.
semi-grammatical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɡrəˈmatᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪɡrəˈmædək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiɡrəˈmædək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1964 P. Strevens Papers in Lang. (1965) iv. 61 The body of data..includes grammatical, semi-grammatical and non-grammatical features.
semi-nasal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈneɪzl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈneɪz(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈneɪz(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1849 A. M. Bell New Elucidation Princ. Speech & Elocution 150 The Englishman's difficulty in giving the Gallic effect to the French semi-nasal elements.
† semi-pause n. Obsolete a slight pause or cæsura.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > rhythm > [noun] > caesura > slight
semi-pause1762
1762 Ld. Kames Elements Crit. II. xviii. 392 A semipause..being short and faint, is not sensibly disagreeable when it divides a word.
1798 L. Murray Eng. Gram. (ed. 4) iv. 213 This semi-pause may be called a demi-cæsura.
semi-phonetic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪfəˈnɛtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪfəˈnɛdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmifəˈnɛdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌfoʊˈnɛdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌfoʊˈnɛdɪk/
ΚΠ
1933 L. Bloomfield Lang. xvii. 290 Semi-phonetic devices, such as rising combinations of letters for a single phoneme.
1964 Language 40 302 He had to depend mainly on the semiphonetic materials recorded by H. Paasonen.
semiphonotypy n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfəʊnə(ʊ)tʌɪpi/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfoʊnəˌtaɪpi/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfoʊnoʊˌtaɪpi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfoʊnəˌtaɪpi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfoʊnoʊˌtaɪpi/
printing in a ‘reformed’ spelling intermediate between the traditional and purely phonetic spelling.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > spelling > [noun] > correct, customary spelling > system of writing with phonetic consistency > printing 'reformed' spelling
semiphonotypy1876
1876 F. M. Müller Sel. Ess. (1881) I. 259 A style of spelling will now be introduced which has received the name of Semiphonotypy.
semi-predicative adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈprɛdᵻkətɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmɪprᵻˈdɪkətɪv/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈprɛdəˌkeɪdɪv/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈprɛdəkədɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈprɛdəˌkeɪdɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈprɛdəkədɪv/
quasi-predicative; forming part of a predicate.
ΚΠ
1914 O. Jespersen Mod. Eng. Gram. II. 386 It is used in that sense as a semi-predicative post-adjunct.
1933 L. Bloomfield Lang. xii. 206 Some numeratives are used also in other syntactic positions, as..all, both as semi-predicative attributes (the boys were both there).
semi-rhythm n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌrɪð(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌrɪðəm/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌrɪðəm/
free-rhythm verse.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > [noun] > free verse
free verse1813
semi-rhythm1893
vers libre1902
1893 G. A. Greene Luigi Capuana in Ital. Lyrists 54 The exact metre,..is, as might be expected from ‘semi-rhythms’, somewhat difficult to ascertain.
semi-sentence n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌsɛnt(ə)ns/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsɛntns/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsɛn(t)əns/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsɛntns/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsɛn(t)əns/
a statement or utterance which possesses some of the features of a sentence.
ΚΠ
1954 Acta Universitatis Carolinae VII. 35 In the present article, the term ‘semi-sentence’ constructions covers both participial and infinitive phrases as well as those having neither of these, but which, owing to their binary character, have a distinct predicational form (e.g. If lawful.).
1969 Word 25 195 A sentence which contains no predicate is a semi-sentence.
1975 N. Chomsky Logical Struct. Ling. Theory viii. 244 We are building a system of phrase structure only for first-order grammatical sentences, a category that presumably excludes such semisentences as ‘sincerity appointed the table’.
† semi-spiritous adj. Obsolete (of a consonant) voiced.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > consonant > [adjective] > voiced
semi-spiritous1668
soft1668
intonable1864
flat1874
1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. 369 By Semi-spiritous or halfbreathed Consonants, are meant such as are accompanied with some kind of vocal murmure, as B, D, G.
semi-telic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈtɛlɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈtɛlɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈtɛlɪk/
partially final or expressing purpose.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [adjective] > other specific aspects
frequentative1534
indefinite1827
iterative1827
semelfactive1827
telic1846
usitative1849
resultative1857
semi-telic1865
permansive1866
constative1901
effective1904
point-action1913
egressive1914
punctual1914
benefactive1943
1865 H. Alford Greek Testament III. 285 When we are speaking of the divine proceedings, the tendency involves the purpose, and there is no need for a semi-telic force.
(d) Natural History. = imperfectly, incompletely, partly (of a certain habit, form, texture, etc.).
semi-aquatic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəˈkwatɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈkwɑdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈkwædɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈkwɑdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈkwædɪk/
ΚΠ
1833 W. J. Hooker in J. E. Smith Eng. Flora V. i. 112 Among Sphagnum and other semi-aquatic mosses.
1910 T. Roosevelt Afr. Game Trails 126 They [buffalo] are semi-aquatic beasts.
semi-arborescent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɑːbəˈrɛsnt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɑrbəˈrɛs(ə)nt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɑrbəˈrɛs(ə)nt/
ΚΠ
1880 C. R. Markham Peruvian Bark 236 The vegetation..is of a semi-arborescent character.
Categories »
semi-articulate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɑːˈtɪkjᵿlət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɑrˈtɪkjələt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɑrˈtɪkjələt/
semi-complete adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəmˈpliːt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkəmˈplit/
,
/ˌsɛmikəmˈplit/
ΚΠ
1815 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. I. 68 Those of the Linnean order Hemiptera, which resemble the perfect insect, except in having only the rudiments of wings, and to which the name of semi-complete pupæ was applied by Linnè.
semi-complicated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒmplᵻkeɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑmpləˌkeɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑmpləˌkeɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1822 J. Parkinson Outl. Oryctol. 225 Valves semicomplicated.
semi-connate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪkɒˈneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪkəˈneɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑˌneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪkəˈneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑˌneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmikəˈneɪt/
ΚΠ
1900 B. D. Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms Semiconnate, applied to such structures as the half-united filaments of certain willows.
semi-coriaceous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkɒrɪˈeɪʃəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkɔriˈeɪʃəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkɔriˈeɪʃəs/
ΚΠ
1852 T. Ross tr. A. von Humboldt Personal Narr. Trav. Amer. II. xxiv. 451 The semi-coriaceous leaves.
semi-corneous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɔːnɪəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɔrniəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɔrniəs/
ΚΠ
1835–6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. I. 703/1 A brownish and semi-corneous filament.
semi-crustaceous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkrʌˈsteɪʃəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkrəˈsteɪʃəs/
,
/ˌsɛmikrəˈsteɪʃəs/
ΚΠ
1771 Encycl. Brit. III. 364/1 The Hemiptera have four wings, the two superior ones being semicrustaceous, and incumbent.
semi-erect adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪᵻˈrɛkt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈrɛk(t)/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪiˈrɛk(t)/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈrɛk(t)/
,
/ˌsɛmiiˈrɛk(t)/
ΚΠ
1822 J. Parkinson Outl. Oryctol. 221 Chama..unicornaria: sub~imbricated, rough, with unequal, semierect, vaulted squamæ.
1851 W. B. Carpenter Man. Physiol. (ed. 2) 556 The semi-erect Apes.
1894 R. B. Lee Hist. & Descr. Mod. Dogs: Terriers xv. 353 Ears..if not cut, to be small V-shaped and carried semi-erect.
1931 A. J. Macself Sanders' Encycl. Gardening (ed. 21) 409 S[milax] herbacea, greenish, bluish-black fruits, twining or semi-erect, N. America.
semi-evergreen adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɛvəɡriːn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɛvərˌɡrin/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɛvərˌɡrin/
normally evergreen but shedding some leaves if conditions become severe.
ΚΠ
1952 A. G. L. Hellyer Sanders' Encycl. Gardening (ed. 22) 10 Adenocarpus... Deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or small trees.
1978 Detroit Free Press 16 Apr. (Parade Suppl.) 32/2 (advt.) The lush, semi-evergreen foliage erupts in massive clusters of star-shaped, fiery red blooms.
semi-granulate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɡranjᵿleɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɡrænjəˌleɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɡrænjəˌleɪt/
ΚΠ
1815 E. J. Burrow Elements Conchol. 185 Shell 8-valved, semi-granulate.
Categories »
semi-heterocercal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪhɛt(ə)rə(ʊ)ˈsəːkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌhɛdəroʊˈsərk(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌhɛdəroʊˈsərk(ə)l/
semi-horny adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈhɔːni/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈhɔrni/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈhɔrni/
ΚΠ
1787 J. Hunter in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 77 404 A semi-horny substance.
semi-hyaline adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈhʌɪəlɪn/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈhʌɪəlʌɪn/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈhʌɪəliːn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈhaɪələn/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈhaɪəˌlaɪn/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈhaɪələn/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈhaɪəˌlaɪn/
ΚΠ
1819 G. Samouelle Entomologist's Compend. 230 Asiraca clavicornis..elytra semihyaline.
semi-imbricated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɪmbrᵻkeɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɪmbrəˌkeɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɪmbrəˌkeɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1840 E. Blyth et al. Cuvier's Animal Kingdom 280 The scales are square, thick, and semi-imbricated.
semi-immersed adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪᵻˈməːst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪᵻˈmərst/
,
/ˌsɛmiᵻˈmərst/
ΚΠ
1871 W. A. Leighton Lichen-flora 417 Apothecia large,..semi-immersed in thalline elevations.
semi-internal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪnˈtəːnl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪᵻnˈtərn(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiᵻnˈtərn(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1822 J. Parkinson Outl. Oryctol. 191 The ligament internal or semi-internal.
1843 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. (ed. 6) I. 289 This insect is a semi-internal parasite.
semi-osseous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɒsɪəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɑsiəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɑsiəs/
ΚΠ
1841 H. Miller Old Red Sandstone (1887) iv. 95 The semi-osseous..icthyolites of the Lower Old Red Sandstone.
semi-oviparous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəʊˈvɪp(ə)rəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌoʊˈvɪp(ə)rəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌoʊˈvɪp(ə)rəs/
ΚΠ
1897 Appletons' Pop. Sci. Monthly Nov. 7 The oöticoids or semi-oviparous mammals.
semi-permeable adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpəːmɪəbl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpərmiəb(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpərmiəb(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1900 W. Ramsay in Smithsonian Rep. 253 A vessel the walls of which are permeable to the solvent, but not to the dissolved substance (‘semipermeable membrane’).
semi perspicuous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪ pəˈspɪkjʊəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪ pərˈspɪkjəwəs/
,
/ˌsɛmi pərˈspɪkjəwəs/
ΚΠ
1681 N. Grew Musæum Regalis Societatis iii. iv. 288 Of the colour of yellow Amber, and semiperspicuous.
semi-petaloid adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɛtl̩ɔɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛdlˌɔɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛdlˌɔɪd/
ΚΠ
1830 J. Lindley Introd. Nat. Syst. Bot. 86 Cycnia has a semipetaloid irregular calyx and no petals.
semi-radiate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈreɪdɪeɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈreɪdɪət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈreɪdiˌeɪt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈreɪdiət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈreɪdiˌeɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈreɪdiət/
ΚΠ
1900 B. D. Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms Semiradiate, when only a portion of the outer florets of a Composite are radiant and different from those of the disk.
semi-recondite adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈrɛk(ə)ndʌɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈkɒndʌɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈrɛkənˌdaɪt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈkɑnˌdaɪt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈkɑnˌdaɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈrɛkənˌdaɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈkɑnˌdaɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈkɑnˌdaɪt/
ΚΠ
1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. IV. 306 Semirecondite... When the head is half covered by the shield of the thorax.
semi-retractile adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈtraktʌɪl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈtræktl/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈtræktl/
ΚΠ
1883 W. H. Flower in Encycl. Brit. XV. 440/2 Claws short, compressed, acute, curved, often semi~retractile.
semi-revolute adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈrɛvəl(j)uːt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈrɛvəˌl(j)ut/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈrɛvəˌl(j)ut/
ΚΠ
a1836 J. F. South Zool. in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VII. 289/1 Sometimes, as in the semi-revolute Shells, the whorls are perfectly distinct from each other.
semi-septate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɛpteɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɛpˌteɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɛpˌteɪt/
ΚΠ
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. Semi~septate, half-partitioned; having a dissepiment which does not project into the cavity to which it belongs sufficiently to cut it off into two separate cells.
semi-sessile adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɛsʌɪl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈsɛsɪl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɛs(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɛˌsaɪl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɛs(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɛˌsaɪl/
ΚΠ
1962 D. Nichols Echinoderms xii. 156 These facts suggest that the animal remained semi-sessile on the sea-bottom and searched the surrounding area with its tentacles.
semi-social adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsəʊʃl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsoʊʃ(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsoʊʃ(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1962 Sci. Surv. 3 285 Numbers of insects are affected [by sounds]..which are related, not to sexual activity, but to social or semi-social activities.
semi-spiral adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈspʌɪrəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈspʌɪrl̩/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈspaɪrəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈspaɪrəl/
ΚΠ
1828 J. Stark Elements Nat. Hist. II. 33 Shell ovate, inflated, semispiral.
semi-staminate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈstamᵻnət/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈstamᵻneɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈstæməˌneɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈstæməˌneɪt/
ΚΠ
1900 B. D. Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms Semistaminate, when part of the stamens are changed into petals.
semi-striate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈstrʌɪeɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈstraɪˌeɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈstraɪˌeɪt/
ΚΠ
1815 E. J. Burrow Elements Conchol. 131 Shell 8-valved, semistriate.
semi-striated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪstrʌɪˈeɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈstraɪˌeɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈstraɪˌeɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1851 J. S. Mill Syst. Logic (ed. 3) II. v. v. 352 As the former is the error of sheer ignorance, so the latter is especially that of semi-instructed minds.
1955 J. Burnaby Christian Words & Christian Meanings iii. 62 The same tendency in modernised form is to be observed in much semi-instructed Christian thinking of our own time.
semi-terrestrial adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪtᵻˈrɛstrɪəl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪtəˈrɛstriəl/
,
/ˌsɛmitəˈrɛstriəl/
ΚΠ
1932 J. S. Huxley Probl. Relative Growth i. 33 Twenty-four grams is a very small weight for many crabs, including forms of semi-terrestrial and burrowing habits.
1964 Oceanogr. & Marine Biol. 2 302 The semi-terrestrial hermit crab, Coenobita perlatus,..varies the frequency with which it visits water of different salinities.
semi-valvate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈvalveɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈvalvət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈvælˌveɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈvælˌveɪt/
ΚΠ
1900 B. D. Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms Semivalvate, when the valves of a fruit are only partially dehiscent.
semi-verticillate adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪvəːˈtɪsᵻlət/
,
/ˌsɛmɪvəːˈtɪsl̩ət/
,
/ˌsɛmɪvəːtᵻˈsɪlət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌvərdəˈsɪlət/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌvərdəˈsɪˌleɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌvərdəˈsɪlət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌvərdəˈsɪˌleɪt/
ΚΠ
1847–54 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Semi~verticillate, partially verticillate.
(e) Designating an animal or vegetable form, class, species, etc., which has only some of the characteristics of that denoted by the second element, or is intermediate between that and another.
(i)
semi-ape n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪeɪp/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌeɪp/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌeɪp/
(= half-ape n., lemur)
ΚΠ
1886 R. Kipling Gen. Summary in Departm. Ditties We are very slightly changed From the semi-apes who ranged Pre-historic India.
semi-avocet n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈavəsɛt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈævəˌsɛt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈævəˌsɛt/
ΚΠ
1886 Seebohm in Ibis July 227 The four groups of which we are in search are Stilts, Semi-stilts, Avocets, and Semi-avocets.
semi burrower n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪ ˈbʌrəʊə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈbərəwər/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈbərəwər/
ΚΠ
1864–5 J. G. Wood Homes without Hands (1868) ii. 76 Among the semi-burrowers we may rank the Starling..as this bird invariably lays its eggs in a hollow of some kind.
semi-dwarf n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪdwɔːf/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌdwɔrf/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌdwɔrf/
(also as adjective.)
ΚΠ
1931 J. S. Huxley What dare I Think? ii. 62 The Peter Pan type of semi-dwarf who, though perfectly proportioned, never grows up fully.
1959 Sci. News Let. 22 Aug. 120/3 Stiff-stemmed semidwarf wheat may be the answer for Pacific Northwest growers whose wheat suffers extensively from lodging.
1979 Nature 3 May 7/1 In India..rice research has tended to focus on light-yielding semi-dwarfs for irrigated land.
semi-egret n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈiːɡrᵻt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈiɡrət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈiˌɡrɛt/
ΚΠ
1880 A. Newton in Encycl. Brit. XI. 760/2 The group of Semi-egrets, containing some nine or ten forms.
semi-lichen n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈlʌɪk(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈlɪtʃ(ᵻ)n/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlaɪkən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlaɪkən/
ΚΠ
1900 B. D. Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms Semilichen, Zukal's term for forms which when destitute of their appropriate Alga can subsist as saprophytes.
semi-looper n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈluːpə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlupər/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlupər/
(cf. half-looper n.)
ΚΠ
1880 Libr. Universal Knowl. I. 706 The larva [of southern army-worm or cotton-worm] is a semi-looper.
1899 D. Sharp in Cambr. Nat. Hist. VI. vi. 415 When the abdominal legs are reduced in number (Plusia, e.g.) the larvae are said to be Half-loopers, or Semi-loopers, as they assume to some extent the peculiar mode of progression of the Geometrid larvae, which are known as Loopers.
semi-parasite n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈparəsʌɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛrəˌsaɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛrəˌsaɪt/
ΚΠ
1868 H. Watts Dict. Chem. IV. 354 Green perfect parasites (Viscum), and more or less coloured semi~parasites (Melampyrum arvense).
semi-parasitic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪparəˈsɪtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌpɛrəˈsɪdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌpɛrəˈsɪdɪk/
ΚΠ
1878–80 Brady (title) Monograph of the Free and Semi-parasitic Copepoda of the British Islands.
semi-parasitism n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈparəsᵻtɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛrəsəˌtɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛrəˌsaɪˌtɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛrəsəˌtɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛrəˌsaɪˌtɪzəm/
ΚΠ
1894 Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 26 338 The head..is without a labrum or epipharynx, a loss due to adaptation to its suctorial habits and semiparasitism.
semi-pupa n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpjuːpə/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌpjuːpə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpjupə/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌpjupə/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpjupə/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌpjupə/
semi-pupal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpjuːpl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpjup(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpjup(ə)l/
semi-rapacious adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrəˈpeɪʃəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈpeɪʃəs/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈpeɪʃəs/
ΚΠ
1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. 145 Semirapacious; feeding commonly either on Carrion, or other things, and more seldome on living Animals.
semi-stilt n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌstɪlt/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌstɪlt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌstɪlt/
ΚΠ
1886Semi-stilt [see semi-avocet n.].
(ii) Belonging to (or a member of) the groups Semidigitigrada, Semiphyllidiana, Semiplantigrada.
semi-digitigrade n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdɪdʒᵻtᵻɡreɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdɪdʒᵻdəˌɡreɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdɪdʒᵻdəˌɡreɪd/
ΚΠ
1864 Reader 23 Apr. 525/3 They [sc. the Lemurini] are all plantigrade or semi-digitigrade.
semi-phyllidian n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪfᵻˈlɪdɪən/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪfəˈlɪdiən/
,
/ˌsɛmifəˈlɪdiən/
ΚΠ
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 322/1 Inferobranchians (Phillidians and Semi-phillidians).
semi-plantigrade n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈplantᵻɡreɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈplæn(t)əˌɡreɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈplæn(t)əˌɡreɪd/
ΚΠ
1870 H. A. Nicholson Man. Zool. (1875) lxxix. 634 The second family of the Semi-plantigrade Carnivores is that of the Viverridæ.
(f)
semi-nymph n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪnɪmf/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌnɪmf/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌnɪmf/
[= French semi-nymphe] a nymph of such insects as undergo only a slight change in passing to the imago state.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > eggs or young > [noun] > young or development of young > pupa or chrysalis > that undergoes only slight change
semi-nymph1815
1815 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. (1818) I. iii. 68 Those of the Linnean order Hemiptera..to which the name of semi-complete pupæ was applied by Linné, and that of semi-nymphs by some other authors.
(g) In Anatomy, chiefly in names (in Latin form, but occasionally anglicized) of muscles.
(i) situated partly in a certain region.
semi-interrosseus adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪntəˈrɒsɪəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɪn(t)əˈrɑsiəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɪn(t)əˈrɑsiəs/
ΚΠ
1733 G. Douglas tr. J. B. Winslow Anat. Expos. Struct. Human Body (1756) I. 202 The Antithenar or Internal Semi-Interosseus of the Thumb.
semi-spinalis n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪspʌɪˈneɪlɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌspaɪˈneɪlᵻs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌspaɪˈneɪlᵻs/
ΚΠ
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Semispinalis, a muscle, called also transverso~spinalis dorsi.
1875 Turner in Encycl. Brit. I. 835/1 The semispinales, multifidi and rotatores spinæ muscles.
semi-vertebral adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈvəːtᵻbr(ə)l/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈvərdəbrəl/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌvərˈtibrəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈvərdəbrəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌvərˈtibrəl/
ΚΠ
1733 G. Douglas tr. J. B. Winslow Anat. Expos. Struct. Human Body (1756) I. §677 The Muscles which move the Vertebræ of the Back and Loins..were they to be reckoned separately as Vertebral or Semi-Vertebral Muscles.
(ii) being partly of a certain texture or shape.
Categories »
semi-decussation n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdɛkəˈseɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌdɛkəˈseɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌdɛkəˈseɪʃ(ə)n/
semi-intercostal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪntəˈkɒstl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɪn(t)ərˈkɑst(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɪn(t)ərˈkɑst(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1733 G. Douglas tr. J. B. Winslow Anat. Expos. Struct. Human Body (1756) II. 24 Semi-intercostal Arteries.
semi-membranosus n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪmɛmbrəˈnəʊsəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌmɛmbrəˈnoʊsəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌmɛmbrəˈnoʊsəs/
ΚΠ
1733 G. Douglas tr. J. B. Winslow Anat. Expos. Struct. Human Body (1756) I. 216 Semi-Membranosus. This is a long thin Muscle, partly Tendinous, from whence it has its name.
1875 Turner in Encycl. Brit. I. 841/1 The biceps [is inserted] into the head of the fibula, and semi~tendinosus and semi-membranosus into the upper end of the tibia.
1896 Treves' Syst. Surg. II. 31 An enlargement of the bursa between the semi-membranosus and inner head of the gastrocnemius.
semi-membranous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmɛmbrənəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɛmbrənəs/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌmɛmˈbreɪnəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɛmbrənəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌmɛmˈbreɪnəs/
ΚΠ
1739 Gen. Chirurg. Dict. at Semimembranosus, in J. Sparrow tr. H. F. Le Dran Observ. Surg. The Semimembranous Muscle that serves to move the Leg.
semi-mucous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmjuːkəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmjukəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmjukəs/
ΚΠ
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xxvii. 350 The external skin or semimucous membrane of the male.
semi-nervosus n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪnəːˈvəʊsəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌnərˈvoʊsəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌnərˈvoʊsəs/
ΚΠ
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Semi~nervosus, seu Semi-tendinosus, a Muscle of the Thigh, which is so called from its being half Tendinous and Nerve-like.
semi-orbicular adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɔːˈbɪkjᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌɔrˈbɪkjələr/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌɔrˈbɪkjələr/
ΚΠ
1733 G. Douglas tr. J. B. Winslow Anat. Expos. Struct. Human Body (1756) II. 346 The superior Semi-Orbicular Muscle is oftentimes broader than the inferior.
semi-orbicularis adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɔːbɪkjʊˈlɑːrɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪɔrˌbɪkjəˈlɛrəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiɔrˌbɪkjəˈlɛrəs/
ΚΠ
1733 G. Douglas tr. J. B. Winslow Anat. Expos. Struct. Human Body (1756) II. 346 The Semi-Orbiculares are commonly looked upon as one Muscle, surrounding both Lips, from whence it is called Orbicularis.
semi-sarcodic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsɑːˈkɒdɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌsɑrˈkɑdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌsɑrˈkɑdɪk/
ΚΠ
1879 tr. A. de Quatrefages de Bréau Human Species 4 The semi-sarcodic substance which surrounds their siliceous or horny skeleton.
semi-tendinosus n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪtɛndᵻˈnəʊsəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌtɛndəˈnoʊsəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌtɛndəˈnoʊsəs/
(also semi-tendinous, semi-tendinose)
ΚΠ
1704Semitendinosus [see semi-ordinate n. at sense 2b(b)(ii)].
1733 G. Douglas tr. J. B. Winslow Anat. Expos. Struct. Human Body (1756) I. 215 This Tendon is inserted..above the Semi-Tendinosus.
1875 Turner in Encycl. Brit. I. 841/1 The action of the sartorius, gracilis and semi-tendinosus, which are inserted close together into the tibia.
(iii)
semi-bulb n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪbʌlb/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbəlb/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbəlb/
the bulbus vestibuli, either of two vascular bodies on either side of the entrance of the vagina.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > sex organs > female sex organs > [noun] > vagina > other parts of
vaginal1801
semi-bulb1853
Gräfenberg spot1981
G-spot1982
1853 R. Dunglison Med. Lexicon (ed. 9) Semi-bulb of the female, bulbus vestibuli.
(h) In Pathology and Therapeutics.
semi-albinism n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈalbᵻnɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈælbəˌnɪzəm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈælbəˌnɪzəm/
ΚΠ
1898 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Semi-albinism, a half-white condition of the skin, sometimes occurring in negroes.
semi-coma n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkəʊmə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkoʊmə/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkoʊmə/
ΚΠ
1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. II. 202 Delirium..verging into semi-coma.
semi-comatose adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkəʊmətəʊs/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈkəʊmətəʊz/
,
/ˌsɛmɪkəʊməˈtəʊs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkoʊməˌtoʊs/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑməˌtoʊs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkoʊməˌtoʊs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑməˌtoʊs/
ΚΠ
1878 A. M. Hamilton Nerv. Dis. 36 She complained of vertical headache, became semi-comatose.
semi-confluent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒnflʊənt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑnfluənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑnfluənt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪkənˈfluənt/
,
/ˌsɛmikənˈfluənt/
ΚΠ
1887 Cassell's Encycl. Dict. VI. Semiconfluent, half confluent. Used spec. of a kind of small-pox.
semi-fluctuant adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈflʌktjʊənt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈflʌktʃʊənt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfləktʃəwənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfləktʃəwənt/
ΚΠ
1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. II. 1137 An elastic semifluctuant sensation on percussion.
semi-fluctuating adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈflʌktjʊeɪtɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈflʌktʃʊeɪtɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfləktʃuˌeɪdɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfləktʃuˌeɪdɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1872 T. Bryant Pract. Surg. lxiv. 734 Fixed semi-fluctuating growths.
semi-hepatization n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪhɛpətʌɪˈzeɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌhɛpədəˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌhɛpəˌtaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌhɛpədəˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌhɛpəˌtaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. 9 73 Semi-hepatization of left lung.
semi-luxation n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪlʌkˈseɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌləkˈseɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiləkˈseɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1898 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Semi-luxation, a syn. for Sub~luxation.
semi-malignant adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪməˈlɪɡnənt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪməˈlɪɡnənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiməˈlɪɡnənt/
ΚΠ
1864 J. E. Erichsen Sci. & Art Surg. (ed. 4) xxxiv. 469 Semi-Malignant Tumours.
semi-narcosis n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪnɑːˈkəʊsɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌnɑrˈkoʊsəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌnɑrˈkoʊsəs/
ΚΠ
1937 A. Koestler Spanish Test. ii. 235 That merciful state of semi-narcosis induced by..spinning illusions.
1965 J. Pollitt Depression & its Treatm. v. 67 In very severe cases, continuous sleep (continuous narcosis) or continuous semi-narcosis with chlorpromazine and small amounts of Sodium Amytal must be given.
semi-pectoral adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɛkt(ə)rəl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈpɛkt(ə)rl̩/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɛkt(ə)rəl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɛkt(ə)rəl/
ΚΠ
1881 Trans. Obstetr. Soc. 22 284 The patient resting either in the semi-prone or semi~pectoral position.
semi-pronation n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪprəʊˈneɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌproʊˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌproʊˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1898 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Semipronation, the Semi-prone position, or the assuming of that position.
semi-prone adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈprəʊn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈproʊn/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈproʊn/
ΚΠ
1881 Trans. Obstetr. Soc. 22 284 The patient resting either in the semi-prone or semi~pectoral position.
semi-recumbent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈkʌmb(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈkəmbənt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈkəmbənt/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈkəmbənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈkəmbənt/
ΚΠ
1874 F. G. D. Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. viii. 264 The individual should be placed in a semi-recumbent position.
semi-supination n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsuːpᵻˈneɪʃn/
,
/ˌsɛmɪsjuːpᵻˈneɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌsupəˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌsupəˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1898 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Semisupination, half-supination. A position halfway between supination and lying on the side.
semi-supinated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsuːpᵻneɪtᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈsjuːpᵻneɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsupəˌneɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsupəˌneɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1889 A. H. Buck Ref. Handbk. Med. Sci. VIII. 534 When the hand is semisupinated, i.e., with the radius and ulna parallel.
(i) In Chemistry.
(i)
semi-acid n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌasɪd/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌæsəd/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌæsəd/
ΚΠ
1880 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Suppl. Semiacid.
semi-acidified adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəˈsɪdᵻfʌɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈsɪdəˌfaɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈsɪdəˌfaɪd/
ΚΠ
1796 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) II. 91 The Calx which is certainly semi~acidified.
semi-carbonization n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkɑːbənʌɪˈzeɪʃn/
,
/ˌsɛmɪkɑːbn̩ʌɪˈzeɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkɑrbənəˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkɑrbəˌnaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkɑrbənəˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkɑrbəˌnaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1804 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 94 400 Woody fibre in a state of semicarbonization.
† semi-oxidated adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1805 W. Saunders Treat. Mineral Waters (ed. 2) 556 A very soluble semi-oxydated calx.
Categories »
semi-oxidized adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɒksᵻdʌɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɑksəˌdaɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɑksəˌdaɪzd/
semi-oxygenated adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɒksᵻdʒᵻneɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɑksədʒəˌneɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɑksədʒəˌneɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 365 Moist semi-oxygenated calces of iron.
semi-oxygenized adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɒksᵻdʒᵻnʌɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɑksədʒəˌnaɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɑksədʒəˌnaɪzd/
ΚΠ
a1846 Ure (cited by Worcester) Semi-oxygenized.
† semi-phlogisticated adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1828–32 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Semiphlogisticated, partially impregnated with phlogiston.
semi-reduced adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈdjuːst/
,
/ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈdʒuːst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈd(j)ust/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈd(j)ust/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈd(j)ust/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈd(j)ust/
ΚΠ
1965 C. S. G. Phillips & R. J. P. Williams Inorg. Chem. I. x. 386 The anaerobic system..tends to yield acetic acid, alcohol, and similar semi-oxidized and semi-reduced compounds.
† semi-saline adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1799 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 1 379 The neutral and semi~saline combinations before specified.
(ii) In the designation of a class of compounds.
semi-benzidam n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈbɛnzᵻdam/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈbɛnzəˌdæm/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈbɛnzəˌdæm/
ΚΠ
1868 H. Watts Dict. Chem. V. 233 Semibenzidam, this name was given by Zinin to a compound produced by the action of sulphide of ammonium on dinitrobenzene.
semi-glutin n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌɡluːt(ᵻ)n/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌɡlutn/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌɡlutn/
(see quot. 1879.)
ΚΠ
1879 Encycl. Brit. X. 132/2 Two distinct substances could be separated, one precipitable by perchloride of platinum, which he [Hofmeister] calls semiglutin, and the other..which he calls hemicollin.
semi-naphthalidine n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪnafˈθalᵻdiːn/
,
/ˌsɛmɪnapˈθalᵻdiːn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌnæpˈθæləˌdin/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌnæfˈθæləˌdin/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌnæpˈθæləˌdin/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌnæfˈθæləˌdin/
ΚΠ
1852 W. Gregory Handbk. Org. Chem. (ed. 3) 344 Seminaphtalidine, C10H5N, is obtained when nitronaphtalèse is treated by Zinin's process.
1868 H. Watts Dict. Chem. V. 233 Seminaphthylamine, C10H8N2..; also called Seminaphthalidine, Seminaphthalidam, and Azonaphthylamine... A base produced by the action of sulphydrate of ammonium on dinitronaphthalene.
(iii)
semialdehyde n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈaldᵻhʌɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈældəˌhaɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈældəˌhaɪd/
a derivative of a compound containing two identical functional groups (e.g. a dicarboxylic acid) in which one of the groups has been converted into an aldehyde group.
ΚΠ
1942 Jrnl. Biol. Chem. 145 69 In the presence of this enzyme..α-ketoglutaric acid formed succinic semi~aldehyde and CO2.
1976 Nature 16 Dec. 652/2 GABA concentrations were measured using GABA transferose and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase to generate NADH, which was measured spectrofluorometrically.
Categories »
semicarbazine n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɑːbəziːn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑrbəˌzin/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑrbəˌzin/
a colourless base produced by the action of hydrate of hydrazine on potassium, a ketone and aldehyde reagent.
† semi-carbonate n. Obsolete a subcarbonate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > organic chemistry > organic salts > [noun] > carbonates
anatron1706
carbonate1788
marine alkali1791
black ash1803
semi-carbonate1808
oxycarbonate1819
potash1823
hydrocarbonate1843
magnesium carbonate1871
thiocarbonate1883
polycarbonate1886
1808 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 98 98 A saturated soda..becomes a true semi-carbonate by being exposed..to a red heat.
Categories »
semi-combined adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəmˈbʌɪnd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkəmˈbaɪnd/
,
/ˌsɛmikəmˈbaɪnd/
partially or loosely combined.
semi-covalent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkə(ʊ)ˈveɪlənt/
,
/ˌsɛmɪkə(ʊ)ˈveɪln̩t/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkoʊˈveɪlənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkoʊˈveɪlənt/
having some covalent character.
ΚΠ
1965 C. S. G. Phillips & R. J. P. Williams Inorg. Chem. I. v. 156 Semi-covalent bonding involving d orbitals may also be expected to lead to high coordination numbers for early members of the transition series.
semi-normal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈnɔːml/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈnɔrm(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈnɔrm(ə)l/
(see quot. 1896).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > physical chemistry > solutions > [adjective] > electrical conductivity > semi-normal
semi-normal1896
1896 G. M. Gould Student's Med. Dict. (ed. 10) Seminormal Solution, one containing in solution half the quantity of the substance contained in the normal solution.
(j) In Geology, Mineralogy, and Geography.
semi-aluminous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪəˈl(j)uːmᵻnəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪəˈlumənəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiəˈlumənəs/
ΚΠ
1841 H. Miller Old Red Sandstone (1887) vi. 127 The stratified clay is mottled by layers of semi-aluminous, semi-calcareous nodules.
semi-anthracite adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈanθrəsʌɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈænθrəˌsaɪt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈænθrəˌsaɪt/
(see quot. 1858).
ΚΠ
1858 H. D. Rogers Geol. Pennsylvania II. ii. 990 The Anthracites being properly separable into Hard Anthracites and Semi-anthracites; the Bituminous Coals into dry or Semi-bituminous, and fat or true Bituminous Coals.
semi-bituminous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪbᵻˈtjuːmᵻnəs/
,
/ˌsɛmɪbᵻˈtʃuːmᵻnəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌbaɪˈt(j)umənəs/
,
/ˌsɛmibəˈt(j)umənəs/
(see quot. 1858).
ΚΠ
1858 H. D. Rogers Geol. Pennsylvania II. ii. 990 The Anthracites being properly separable into Hard Anthracites and Semi-anthracites; the Bituminous Coals into dry or Semi-bituminous, and fat or true Bituminous Coals.
semi-calcareous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkalˈkɛːrɪəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌkælˈkɛriəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌkælˈkɛriəs/
ΚΠ
1841 H. Miller Old Red Sandstone (1887) vi. 127 The stratified clay is mottled by layers of semi-aluminous, semi-calcareous nodules.
semi-compact adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəmˈpakt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkəmˈpækt/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑmˌpækt/
,
/ˌsɛmikəmˈpækt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑmˌpækt/
ΚΠ
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 158 A semicompact mass of the nature of porcelain.
semi-compacted adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪkəmˈpaktᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪkəmˈpæktəd/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑmˌpæktəd/
,
/ˌsɛmikəmˈpæktəd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑmˌpæktəd/
ΚΠ
1796 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) II. 348 A semi-compacted coagulated mass.
semi-continent n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒntᵻnənt/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌkɒntᵻnənt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑnt(ə)nənt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑnt(ə)nənt/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkɑnt(ə)nənt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkɑnt(ə)nənt/
ΚΠ
1849 J. D. Dana U.S. Exploring Exped.: Geol. (1850) vii. 433 The semi-continent New Holland.
semi-deltaic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdɛlˈteɪɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌdɛlˈteɪɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌdɛlˈteɪɪk/
ΚΠ
1898 Engin. Mag. 16 106 Rivers may be divided into four great classes: (1) the tidal; (2) the deltaic; (3) the semi-deltaic; and (4) the torrential.
semi-desert adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdɛzət/
,
/ˈsɛmɪˌdɛzət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdɛzərt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdɛzərt/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌdɛzərt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌdɛzərt/
ΚΠ
1849 J. D. Dana U.S. Exploring Exped.: Geol. (1850) ix. 455 The semi-desert of California.
1903 W. R. Fisher tr. A. F. W. Schimper Plant-geogr. 163 Transition forms between desert on the one hand, and woodland or grassland on the other, are termed semi-deserts.
semi-extinct adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪᵻkˈstɪŋ(k)t/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɛkˈstɪŋ(k)t/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪɪkˈstɪŋ(k)t/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪɛkˈstɪŋ(k)t/
,
/ˌsɛmiɪkˈstɪŋ(k)t/
,
/ˌsɛmiɛkˈstɪŋ(k)t/
ΚΠ
1839 G. Roberts Dict. Geol. Solfatara, a semi-extinct volcano, emitting only gaseous sulphurous exhalations, and aqueous vapours.
semi-fossil adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfɒsl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfɑs(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfɑs(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1896 Guide Fossil Reptiles & Fishes Brit. Mus. 93 Teeth of Sharks..in a semi-fossil state.
semi-granitic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɡrəˈnɪtɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɡraˈnɪtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪɡrəˈnɪdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiɡrəˈnɪdɪk/
ΚΠ
1791 T. Beddoes in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 81 50 Semi-granitic, porphyritic, and common whinstone.
semi-hard adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈhɑːd/
,
/ˈsɛmɪhɑːd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈhɑrd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈhɑrd/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌhɑrd/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌhɑrd/
ΚΠ
1811 J. Pinkerton Petralogy II. 197 A little more than semi-hard, only being capable of being scratched with the point of a knife.
semi-indurated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɪndjᵿreɪtᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈɪndʒᵿreɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɪnd(j)əˌreɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɪnd(j)əˌreɪdᵻd/
ΚΠ
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 76 Mild Calx in a loose or semi-indurated form.
semi-lapidified adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪləˈpɪdᵻfʌɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪləˈpɪdəˌfaɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiləˈpɪdəˌfaɪd/
ΚΠ
1799 R. Kirwan Geol. Ess. 236 Hills of semi~lapidified marl.
semi-mineralized adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmɪn(ə)rəlʌɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈmɪn(ə)rl̩ʌɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmɪn(ə)rəˌlaɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmɪn(ə)rəˌlaɪzd/
ΚΠ
1802 J. Playfair Illustr. Huttonian Theory 153 This semi-mineralized coal.
semi-porphyritic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪpɔːfᵻˈrɪtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌpɔrfəˈrɪdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌpɔrfəˈrɪdɪk/
ΚΠ
1839 H. T. De la Beche Rep. Geol. Cornwall iii. 83 Some very remarkable rocks with a semi-porphyritic character.
† semiprimigenous adj. Obsolete applied by Kirwan to formations intermediate between the primary and the secondary.
ΚΠ
1799 R. Kirwan Geol. Ess. 44 Semi-primigenous strata (Todliegendes).
semi-profession n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪprəˌfɛʃn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪprəˌfɛʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪproʊˌfɛʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˈsɛmiprəˌfɛʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˈsɛmiproʊˌfɛʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
a1930 D. H. Lawrence Phoenix (1936) v. 597 Some sort of semi-profession, such as school-teaching.
† semiprotolite n. Obsolete (Kirwan) a ‘semi-primigenous’ fossil.
ΚΠ
1799 R. Kirwan Geol. Ess. 307 After this shale and coal alternate until all terminate in red semiprotolite.
Categories »
semi-stratified adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈstratᵻfʌɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈstrædəˌfaɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈstrædəˌfaɪd/
semi-volcanic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪvɒlˈkanɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌvɔlˈkænɪk/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌvɑlˈkænɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌvɔlˈkænɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌvɑlˈkænɪk/
ΚΠ
1890 J. D. Dana Char. Volcanoes 23 The eruptions are only semi-volcanic.
(k) In names of articles or processes of manufacture:
semi-calcined adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkalsʌɪnd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈkals(ᵻ)nd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkælˌsaɪnd/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkælˌsind/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkælˌsaɪnd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkælˌsind/
ΚΠ
1786 T. Cavallo in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 77 9 The semi~calcined part floats at the top.
semi-china n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌtʃʌɪnə/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌtʃaɪnə/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌtʃaɪnə/
ware resembling china, etc., but having an inferior glaze, finish, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > clay compositions > baked clay > pottery or ceramics > [noun] > porcelain > imitation porcelain
glass-porcelain1753
semi-china1825
softwares1850
semi-porcelain1886
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 482 The blue printed tea-ware has recently obtained the name of semi-china, owing to its being, when well fired, very fine, white and neat, and possessing some degree of transparency.
semi-coke n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪkəʊk/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkoʊk/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkoʊk/
a smokeless fuel that leaves little ash, made from coal by carbonization at a low temperature (usually 500–600°C).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > fuel > coal or types of coal > [noun] > coal-derived fuel
coal ball1603
pipe-coal1612
hotshot1673
hotshoot1704
fireball1735
brickette1806
briquette1884
coal slurry1912
slurry1913
semi-coke1918
Phurnacite1937
syncrude1971
1918 Chem. & Metallurgical Engin. 19 580/1 Charles Howard Smith..proposed to get an intermediate soft 16 to 20 per cent volatile semi-coke.
1972 Harker & Allen Fuel Sci. v. 70 The tar and most of the volatile matter are driven off leaving a material known as ‘semi-coke’.
semi-coking adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkəʊkɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkoʊkɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkoʊkɪŋ/
designating a coal that is intermediate between a good coking coal and one that does not produce coke.
ΚΠ
1915 Iron & Coal Trades Rev. 91 421/2 No serious attempts have hitherto been made to utilise in the low-temperature system non-coking and semi-coking coals for the production of oils.
1977 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 125 64/2 High grade coke can be made from a coal mixture including a proportion of only semi-coking coal.
semi-dried adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdrʌɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdraɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdraɪd/
ΚΠ
1892 Labour Comm. Gloss. Semi-dried bricks, bricks manufactured from clay, one half dry and the other half damp.
semi-dry adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdrʌɪ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdraɪ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdraɪ/
ΚΠ
1878 Encycl. Brit. VIII. 188/2 The semi~dry or ‘dust’ process of manufacturing encaustic tiles.
semi-glaze n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪɡleɪz/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌɡleɪz/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌɡleɪz/
ΚΠ
1897 J. C. L. Sparkes & W. Gandy Potters 40 The kind of semi-glaze known as a ‘smear’.
semi-glazed adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɡleɪzd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɡleɪzd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɡleɪzd/
ΚΠ
1893 E. A. Barber Pottery & Porcelain U.S. 391 The semi~glazed old-gold color of the adjacent terra-cotta.
semi-porcelain adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɔːsl̩ᵻn/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈpɔːs(ə)lᵻn/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈpɔːsl̩eɪn/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈpɔːs(ə)leɪn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɔrs(ə)lən/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɔrs(ə)lən/
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > clay compositions > baked clay > pottery or ceramics > [noun] > porcelain > imitation porcelain
glass-porcelain1753
semi-china1825
softwares1850
semi-porcelain1886
1886 Guide Exhib. Galleries Brit. Mus. 210 The pottery semi~porcelain, and porcelain known as Kutani ware, made in the province of Kaga.
1908 Church Times 20 Mar. 394/2 Pretty novelties in semi-porcelain.
semi-steel n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪstiːl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌstil/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌstil/
a low-carbon cast iron produced by melting mild steel with pig iron in a furnace.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > iron > [noun] > type of iron > cast iron > other types of cast iron
grey iron1665
white iron1665
run metal1741
white cast iron1792
mottled iron1836
tender-floss1839
pot metal1854
semi-steel1858
silicon iron1878
white-heart1911
white-heart1928
1858 Q. Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 10 145 Mr. Bessemer claims the production..of a particular product called semi-steel.
1861 W. Fairbairn Iron 141 What he [Bessemer] calls semi-steel.
1929 Iron & Steel Industry 3 35 The metallurgist has long regarded the term ‘semi-steel’ as a misnomer, although the use of the term within the foundry business is harmless when it is simply made to imply the use of steel in a cast iron mixture... Instead, we have at present the innuendo that ‘semi-steel’ is more or less a definite iron-carbon alloy of superior properties compared to cast iron, whereas it is in reality an ‘unknown quantity’.
1958 Engineering 21 Mar. 384/2 The bottom grate is of heat resistant 30 per cent chrome semi-steel and is reversible for burning coal or coke.
semi-water-gas n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪwɔːtəˈɡas/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌwɔdərˈɡæs/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌwɑdərˈɡæs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌwɔdərˈɡæs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌwɑdərˈɡæs/
a fuel gas made by blowing a mixture of steam and air into a producer.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > organic chemistry > organic gases > [noun] > water-gas > semi-water-gas
semi-water-gas1910
1910 Encycl. Brit. XI. 286/1 Semi-water gas is especially adapted for the purpose of driving gas-engines on the explosive principle (gas motors).
(l) Denoting styles of architecture having only some of the features connoted by the second element.
semi-classic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈklasɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈklæsɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈklæsɪk/
ΚΠ
1841 M. H. Bloxam Princ. Gothic Eccles. Archit. (ed. 4) 148 Keystones after the Roman or Italian semi-classic style.
semi-Gothic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɡɒθɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɡɑθɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɡɑθɪk/
ΚΠ
1768 Acct. Denmark 94 The royal palace of Rosenburg..is a handsome structure in the semi Gothic taste.
1925 F. Madan Oxf. outside Guide-bks. (ed. 2) 186 The Firm's premises..were entirely rebuilt and included the present ‘semi-Gothic’ elevation.
semi-Norman adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈnɔːmən/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈnɔrm(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈnɔrm(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1829 M. H. Bloxam Princ. Gothic Eccles. Archit. 31 Semi-Norman Pointed Arch.
(m) In names of mechanical contrivances (see quots.). Cf semi-automatic adj.
ΚΠ
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Semireverberatory fire, in chemistry, a term used to express such a reverberatory fire, in which the flame is only beaten back upon the bottom of the vessel.
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 796 Semi-multi-flue Boiler, a flue-plate is fixed in the flue a short distance behind the furnace, and a number of wrought~iron or brass flues pass from this to the back of the boiler.
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 796 Semi-multi-tubular Boiler, a term applied to those boilers in which a portion of the cylindrical shell is occupied by flues.
d. Miscellaneous:
semi-active adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈaktɪv/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈæktɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈæktɪv/
designating a method of missile guidance in which the missile responds to a signal transmitted from elsewhere and reflected by the target.
ΚΠ
1954 K. W. Gatland Devel. Guided Missile (ed. 2) iii. 83 Final guidance is obtained by the technique known as ‘semi-active homing’, the missile responding to target reflection from the ground radar.
semi-amplexicaul adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪamˈplɛksᵻkɔːl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌæmˈplɛksəˌkɔl/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌæmˈplɛksəˌkɑl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌæmˈplɛksəˌkɔl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌæmˈplɛksəˌkɑl/
ΚΠ
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Leaf Semamplexicaule Leaf, one resembling the amplexicaule, but with its lobes at the base too small to entirely surround the stalk.
?1877 F. E. Hulme Familiar Wild Flowers I. Summary p. xiv The upper [leaves]..sinuate, semi-amplexicaul.
semi-antique adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪanˈtiːk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌænˈtik/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌænˈtik/
of a rug or carpet: between fifty and one hundred years old; also absol. as n.
ΚΠ
1945 G. G. Lewis Pract. Bk. Oriental Rugs (ed. 6) v. ii. 304 Antique or semi-antique Chinese rugs are as scarce as hen's teeth.
1970 J. Franses European & Oriental Rugs 3 Its wool is hand~spun on all the early carpets and semi-antiques.
1979 Tucson (Arizona) Mag. Apr. 23/1 The semi-antique Iranian prize rug was rolled up.
semi-armour-piercer n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɑːməˌpɪəsə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɑrmərˌpɪrsər/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɑrmərˌpɪrsər/
applied to a kind of shell for perforating some thickness of armour plate.
ΚΠ
1895 Daily News 14 Nov. 6/5 This company was supplying semi-armour-piercers, built to perforate a considerable thickness of armour and to burst sufficiently inside.
semi-armour- piercing n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɑːmə ˌpɪəsɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɑrmər ˌpɪrsɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɑrmər ˌpɪrsɪŋ/
applied to a kind of shell for perforating some thickness of armour plate.
ΚΠ
1898 Westm. Gaz. 9 June 5/1 Semi-armour piercing shell and other ammunition.
semi-Bantu adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈbantuː/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈbɑːntuː/
,
/ˌsɛmɪbanˈtuː/
,
/ˌsɛmɪbɑːnˈtuː/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈbænˌtu/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈbænˌtu/
of or pertaining to a number of languages in Central and West Africa closely related to the Bantu family; also as n.
ΚΠ
1919 H. H. Johnston Compar. Study Bantu & Semi-Bantu Lang. ii. 17 The semi-Bantu languages on this north-west borderland have a vocabulary which contains a greater or smaller amount of Bantu roots.
1919 H. H. Johnston Compar. Study Bantu & Semi-Bantu Lang. 814 The Indiki language of the southern Maneñguba country [is an]..interesting form of Semi-Bantu.
1977 Language 53 291 Bantu and Semi-Bantu classifiers do have meaning.
semi-basement n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌbeɪsm(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbeɪsmənt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbeɪsmənt/
a basement room or rooms set only partially below ground level.
ΚΠ
1934 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Semi-basement.
1963 Punch 20 Nov. 729/1 Desks crowded among filing cabinets in semi-basement.
1974 Country Life 7 Mar. (Suppl.) 32l/1 Semi-basement boiler/drying room, playroom.
† semi-brick n. [after Latin sēmilater] Obsolete a half-baked brick.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > clay compositions > baked clay > brick > [noun] > brick made in specific way
semi-brick1601
place brick1621
clinker1659
rubbed brick1663
rubber1744
marl1812
bat1816
burr1823
wire-cut brick1839
place1843
wire-cut1910
rug brick1914
texture brick1940
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. xix. x. 32 Water wherein the pouder of a semi-bricke or halfe-baked tile is mingled.
semi-broch n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪbrɒk/
,
/ˈsɛmɪbrɒx/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbrɑk/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbrɑk/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbrɑx/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbrɑx/
Archaeology in the Hebrides and western mainland of Scotland: a hollow-walled fort-like structure representing a stage of development between the galleried dun and the broch.
ΚΠ
1903 E. Beveridge Coll & Tiree x. 73 The Semi-broch type. It may be bold to introduce a new name in our description of the Tiree Duns, but a type seems to occur here which is..distinct from the ruder Hill-Forts.
1963 Times 16 Feb. 10/4 Tiree has some 20 dun sites, of which four appear to be hollow-walled semi~brochs.
1980 Glasgow Archaeol. Jrnl. 7 73/1 There are only three semibrochs on the whole of the NW coast of Scotland.
semi-bull n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪbʊl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌbʊl/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌbʊl/
Roman Catholic Church a bull issued by a pope before his coronation (Cass.).
ΚΠ
1854 A. Adams et al. Man. Nat. Hist. 55 The semi-fabulous monster of our own times, the celebrated Sea-Serpent.
semi-cardinal n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɑːdᵻnl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈkɑːdn̩l/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑrdn̩(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑrdən(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑrdn̩(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑrdən(ə)l/
applied to the points of the compass half-way between the cardinal points, as NE.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > navigational aids > [adjective] > between cardinal points
semi-cardinal1653
inter-cardinal1909
1653 R. Gentilis tr. F. Bacon Nat. & Exper. Hist. Winds 20 Let Cardinall windes be those which blow from corners or Angles of the World: Semi-cardinall, those which blow in the halfe wards of those.
semi-cell n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪsɛl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsɛl/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsɛl/
Botany each of the two parts of a cell which is constricted in the middle, as in desmids.
ΚΠ
1872 H. C. Wood Contrib. Hist. Freshwater Algæ 101 Divided into two symmetrical semi~cells.
1882–4 M. C. Cooke Brit. Fresh-water Algæ I. 74 Variable in form, usually constricted in the middle, so as to form two symmetrical semi-cells.
1900 B. D. Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms Semicell, one half of a Desmid.
1927 G. S. West & F. E. Fritsch Treat. Brit. Freshwater Algae 259 The young semicells are clearly recognisable and nuclear division is complete before any change takes place in the chloroplasts of the parent.
1969 F. E. Round Introd. Lower Plants ii. 27 Each mature semicell is ornamented or produced into spines and looked at from the apices is constructed on a bilateral..or triangular basis.
semi-chemical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɛmᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɛmək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɛmək(ə)l/
applied to (wood pulp made by) a pulping process in which wood chips are subjected to mild chemical delignification followed by mechanical processing.
ΚΠ
1925 Paper Trade Jrnl. 15 Oct. 57/1 The various processes..for the production of semi-cellulose as above defined may conveniently be termed semi-chemical inking processes, as they consist essentially of some chemical treatment combined with a mechanical disintegration of the partially cooked wood.
1961 Times 2 June 26/2 A new semi-chemical pulp mill to use indigenous woods.
1974 Sci. Amer. Apr. 56/3 Semichemical processes are applied mainly to hardwoods because of the lower content of lignin in such wood.
† semi-cipher n. figurative Obsolete a nothing or nobody.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > one who is unimportant
unknownc1390
pawnc1450
semi-cipher?1550
bauble1570
Jack with the feather1581
nobody1583
winterling1585
squash1600
rush candle1628
niflec1635
nullity1657
nonentity1710
featherweight1812
underscrub1822
nyaff1825
small fish1836
no-account1840
little fish1846
peanut1864
commonplacer1874
sparrow-fart1886
Little Willie1901
pipsqueak1905
nebbish1907
pie-biter1911
blob1916
smallie1930
no-count1932
zilch1933
Mickey Mouse1935
muzhik1945
nerd1951
nothingburger1953
nerk1955
non-person1959
no-mark1982
?1550 R. Bieston Bayte Fortune A iij Loe there goeth a semesypher in algorisme, There goeth a wretch, a foole, and a barat bringer.
semi-classical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈklasᵻkl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈklasᵻkli/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈklæsək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈklæsək(ə)l/
(a) gen. esp. in Music; (b) Physics designating a theory that is intermediate in its assumptions and methods between the classical, or Newtonian, description and that of modern physics, esp. in quantum mechanics and relativity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > [adjective] > specific doctrine or theory
mechanical1653
mechanic1662
semi-classical1949
1949 Billboard 2 Apr. 34/3 Albums listed are those classical and semi-classical albums selling best in the nation's retail record stores.
1964 J. W. Linnett Electronic Struct. Molecules i. 6 In quantum mechanics the orbits of the Bohr-Sommerfeld semi-classical methods are replaced by orbitals.
semi-classically adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈklasɪkl̩i/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈklasᵻkli/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈklæsək(ə)li/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈklæsək(ə)li/
ΚΠ
1970 G. K. Woodgate Elem. Atomic Struct. i. 4 Another important quantity corresponds semi-classically to the speed of the electron in the first Bohr orbit as a fraction of the speed of light.
semi-closed adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkləʊzd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkloʊzd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkloʊzd/
(a) Fortification (see quot. 1888); (b) Medicine applied to methods of administering anæsthetics employing a gas supply that is closed from the atmosphere and in excess of the patient's needs, the excess being vented to the atmosphere; (cf. open adj. 21, semi-open adj.).
ΚΠ
1888 Pall Mall Gaz. 12 June 3/2 The works in which these guns should..be mounted..must be of the kind known technically as ‘semi-closed’, strong enough to prevent a detachment taking them in the rear.
1914 J. T. Gwathmey Anesthesia vi. 272 Semi-Closed method.—Martin Ware has reported one or two thousand cases without a fatality.
1977 Proc. Royal Soc. Med. 70 784/2 Anaesthesia with spontaneous breathing usually employs a semi-closed circuit.
† semi-commoner n. Obsolete a demy of Magdalen College, Oxford.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > learning > learner > college or university student > [noun] > student receiving allowance
sizer1303
demya1486
postmaster1552
portionist1562
sizar1588
subsister?1589
subsizara1592
servitor1626
taberdar1648
semi-commoner1691
1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses I. 14 William Lilye was..Elected one of the Demies or Semi-commoners of St. Mary Magd. Coll. in 1486.
1715 M. Davies Εἰκων Μικρο-βιβλικὴ 36 The foresaid William Grocyn, became a Divine or Semicommoner of St. Mary Magdalen College, Oxon.
semi-conic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒnɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkɑnɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkɑnɪk/
ΚΠ
1756 P. Browne Civil & Nat. Hist. Jamaica ii. ii. 84 Sharp semiconic leaves.
semi-cotyl n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌkɒtl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkɑdl/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkɑdl/
ΚΠ
1693 tr. S. Blankaart Physical Dict. (ed. 2) 184 Semicotyle, half a Cotyla.
semi-cretin n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌkrɛtɪn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌkritn/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌkritn/
‘a variety of cretin who can speak in a rudimentary way and can appreciate his everyday bodily necessities’ ( New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon 1898).
semi-cursive adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkəːsɪv/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkərsɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkərsɪv/
Palaeography of or pertaining to one of various scripts combining cursive features with elements of a more formal style; also absol. as n.
ΚΠ
1927 Bull. Bezan Club 4 11 These lines, on both the Greek and Latin sides, are written not in a stiff, formal book-script, but in an easy~going semi-cursive.
1948 D. Diringer Alphabet ii. x. 545 The Italian semi-cursive minuscule..developed from the Roman minuscule, was employed throughout Italy from the seventh to the ninth century, and continued to be used in Tuscany until the twelfth century.
1968 PMLA 83 23/1 The script..may be described as an upright, bold but somewhat ungainly cursiva (anglicana) formata, or semi-cursive in older and looser nomenclature.
semi-decussation n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdɛkəˈseɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌdɛkəˈseɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌdɛkəˈseɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1855 D. Brewster Mem. Life I. Newton (new ed.) I. x. 226 The semi-decussation of the optic nerves.
semi-definite adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdɛf(ᵻ)nᵻt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdɛf(ə)nət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdɛf(ə)nət/
Logic implying ‘some but not all’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical proposition > [adjective] > of universal or particular propositions
universalc1450
particular1551
subaltern1566
subcontrary1566
singular1654
lemmatical1665
indefinite1773
indesignate1844
semi-definitea1856
a1856 W. Hamilton Lect. Metaphysics (1860) IV. App. 279 Here some may mean some only—some not all. Here some, though always in a certain degree indefinite, is definite so far as it excludes omnitude,—is used in opposition to all. This I would call its Semi-definite meaning.
1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic v. 137 Whenever we predicate a Genus of a Species, the Predicate is obviously quantified as Particular; and some, which is the predesignation of particularity, must then be thought in its semi-definite sense.
semi-diesel adj.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌdiːzl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌdiz(ə)l/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌdis(ə)l/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌdiz(ə)l/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌdis(ə)l/
(also semi-Diesel) of an engine: (see quot. 1974); also as n., an engine of this type.
ΚΠ
1911 Engineer 7 June 27/1 (caption) Semi-Diesel oil engine.
1920 R. A. McMillan Guide to B.O.T. Exam. for Extra First-Class Engineers xv. 396 A common type of Semi-Diesel is the Bolinder engine.
1960 G. Blanchet Search in North i. 19 From the engine exhaust came the hollow staccato of the semi-diesel.
1974 McGraw-Hill Dict. Sci. & Techn. Terms 1323/2 Semidiesel engine. 1. An internal combustion engine of a type resembling the diesel engine in using heavy oil as fuel but employing a lower compression pressure and spraying it under pressure, against a hot (uncooled) surface or spot, or igniting it by the precombustion or supercompression of a portion of the charge in a separate member or uncooled portion of the combustion chamber. 2. A true diesel engine that uses a means other than compressed air for fuel injection.
semi-display n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪdᵻˌspleɪ/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪdəˌspleɪ/
,
/ˈsɛmidəˌspleɪ/
Typography a layout (for advertisements, etc.) intermediate between the run-on and displayed styles.
ΚΠ
1971 Cabinet Maker & Retail Furnisher 24 Sept. 537 Run-on and Semi-display Announcements are set only in Times Bold and Times Roman.
1976 Horse & Hound 10 Dec. 65/1 (advt.) Advertisers wishing to take a smaller space may use semi display with a minimum size of 2 cms but no blocks or illustrations are permissible in this style.
semi-displayed adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdᵻˈspleɪd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdəˈspleɪd/
,
/ˌsɛmidəˈspleɪd/
ΚΠ
1972 Daily Tel. 5 July 6 Run-on (minimum setting) and semi-displayed (with lines of white space, indents, or double-line capitals)—£1.40 per line.
semi-documentary adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdɒkjᵿˈmɛnt(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌdɑkjəˈmɛn(t)əri/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˌdɑkjəˈmɛntri/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌdɑkjəˈmɛn(t)əri/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌdɑkjəˈmɛntri/
of or pertaining to a film that presents factual or semi-factual material in fictional form; also as n.
ΚΠ
1939 L. Jacobs Rise of Amer. Film 413 Allied in spirit to the semi-documentary films were the realistic regional dramas.
1948 L. Levy Music for Movies xiii. 131 (heading) The semi-documentary.
1958 New Statesman 3 May 567/3 Granada's main achievement is to prove that serious semi-documentary or discussion programmes (Under Fire, Youth wants to Know, What the Papers Say) can be successful entertainment.
semi-drying adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈdrʌɪɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈdraɪɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈdraɪɪŋ/
designating oils or fats which thicken or dry partially on exposure to air.
ΚΠ
1910 Encycl. Brit. XX. 45/1 Semi-drying oils... Semi-drying fats... The semi-drying oils absorb oxygen more slowly than the drying oils.
semi-empirical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪmˈpɪrᵻkl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɛmˈpɪrᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪᵻmˈpɪrᵻk(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪɛmˈpɪrᵻk(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiᵻmˈpɪrᵻk(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiɛmˈpɪrᵻk(ə)l/
that derives in part from theoretical considerations and in part from the results of experiment.
ΚΠ
1935 E. U. Condon & G. H. Shortley Theory Atomic Spectra i. 9 The results..were obtained in semi-empirical ways from consideration of a formulation of the theory that was only true in the limit of large quantum numbers.
1970 Nature 12 Dec. 1086/1 The Arrhenius expression is a frequently erroneous semiempirical formula, with the temperature independence of the activation energy E and the pre-exponential factor A becoming increasingly questionable as the reaction temperature range broadens.
semi-empirically adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪmˈpɪrᵻkli/
,
/ˌsɛmɪɛmˈpɪrᵻkli/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪᵻmˈpɪrᵻk(ə)li/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪɛmˈpɪrᵻk(ə)li/
,
/ˌsɛmiᵻmˈpɪrᵻk(ə)li/
,
/ˌsɛmiɛmˈpɪrᵻk(ə)li/
ΚΠ
1976 Physical Rev. Lett. 36 375/1 We may now semiempirically incorporate the major factor neglected so far.
semi-evening dress n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈiːvnɪŋ drɛs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈiv(ə)nɪŋ ˌdrɛs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈiv(ə)nɪŋ ˌdrɛs/
ΚΠ
1923 A. Huxley Antic Hay x. 156 For semi-evening dress, shell rims with gold ear~pieces.
1923 B. Ruck Dancing Star i. vi. 117 Ripple's frock was the kind of garment dear to the compromise-loving British heart. It was ‘a semi-evening’, which, to a purist, means that the dress is appropriate neither to evening or afternoon.
1938 E. Bowen Death of Heart i. ix. 155 She asked me to come to Peter Jones's with her to help her choose a semi-evening dress.
a1976 A. Christie Autobiogr. (1977) iii. iv. 155 I had a pale grey crêpe de Chine semi-evening dress.
semi-evening gown n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈiːvnɪŋ ɡaʊn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈiv(ə)nɪŋ ˌɡaʊn/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈiv(ə)nɪŋ ˌɡaʊn/
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > dress, robe, or gown > types of > for specific purpose > other
ball-dress1710
presentation dress1836
party frock1858
tea-gown1878
semi-evening gown1891
little black frock1898
cocktail dress1921
cocktail frock1926
little black dress1928
practice dress1934
1891 Sunday Herald (Washington, D.C.) 8 Nov. 20/2 The charming home or semi-evening gown shown is appropriate for silk or fine woolen goods fitted with tiny plaits at the waist line.
1917 Vogue (U.S. ed.) 1 Nov. 68/2 (caption) The semi-evening gown for the restaurant or theatre..has a tunic and bodice of petunia chiffon with silk embroidery in the same shade.
semi-fabricated adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfabrᵻkeɪtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfæbrəˌkeɪdᵻd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfæbrəˌkeɪdᵻd/
(of a material) formed into some standard shape for use in the making of finished articles.
ΚΠ
1947 J. Newton Introd. Metall. (ed. 2) v. 238 Rolling not only produces finished shapes such as plates, sheets,..and rails, but many semifabricated shapes such as steel, copper, and brass rod for wire drawing; steel billets for forging and piercing.
1976 Scotsman 24 Dec. 4/5 Alcan (US), are also to raise prices for their semifabricated aluminium products.
semifabricator n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfabrᵻkeɪtə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfæbrəˌkeɪdər/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfæbrəˌkeɪdər/
a manufacturer of semifabricated goods.
ΚΠ
1967 Economist 29 July 425/3 Hitherto most of this east European aluminium has been bought by the giant non-American producers... It has then either been passed on to their own semi-fabricators or sold to the independent semi-fabricators at the official producers' price.
semi-final n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfʌɪnl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfaɪn(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfaɪn(ə)l/
in football and other contests, the match or round immediately preceding the final one.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun] > game or definite spell of play > specific one of series
heata1663
rubber game1793
round1837
rubber match1843
tie-match1864
final1880
postseason1882
semi-final1884
preliminary1886
cup-tie1895
play-off1895
tie1895
leg1899
repechage1899
qualifier1908
quarter-final1916
playdown1918
rounder1918
go-around1933
quick death1938
semi1942
pretrial1946
quarter1950
barrage1955
tie-breaker1961
semi-main1968
tie-break1970
breaker1979
1884 Truth 13 Mar. 369/2 The semi-final tie between Notts County and the Blackburn Rovers.
1895 Daily News 21 Feb. 5/5 Sunderland, the favourites for the trophy,..are pretty certain to obtain a place in the semi-final.
1976 N. S. Ramaswami Indian Cricket xvi. 115 In his last season Umrigar scored 103 in this game and 120 against North in a semi-final.
semi-finalist n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfʌɪnəlɪst/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈfʌɪnl̩ɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfaɪnl̩ᵻst/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfaɪnl̩ᵻst/
a competitor in a semi-final.
ΚΠ
1898 Daily News 10 Oct. 7/4 There were six heats, and the semi-finalists were Gandin, Deltour, Ashe, and Machenry.
1922 Daily Mail 24 Nov. 11 Beaten semi-finalists.
1924 Scribner's Mag. Feb. 185/1 He had been a semifinalist in the nationals.
1972 D. Delman Sudden Death (1973) ii. 39 The year before he'd been champion at Wimbledon and a semi-finalist at Forest Hills.
semifinished adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈfɪnɪʃt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfɪnᵻʃt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈfɪnᵻʃt/
(of a material, esp. steel) manufactured or treated for use in the making of finished articles.
ΚΠ
1942 R.A.F. Jrnl. 16 May (verso rear cover) Germany would have to supply raw materials and semi-finished products.
1959 Times Rev. Industry July 75/2 Wire-drawers, forgemasters and other consumers of semi-finished steel products.
1972 Daily Tel. 9 Feb. 2/4 The plastics industry expects that about 50 per cent. of finished and semi-finished products will be wholly or partially metricated by mid-1971.
semi-gelatinous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪdʒᵻˈlatᵻnəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪdʒəˈlætn̩əs/
,
/ˌsɛmidʒəˈlætn̩əs/
ΚΠ
1756 P. Browne Civil & Nat. Hist. Jamaica ii. iii. 387 Thin, fleshy or semigelatinous lips.
semi-gloss adj.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪɡlɒs/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌɡlɔs/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌɡlɑs/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌɡlɔs/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌɡlɑs/
designating a finish intermediate between matt and glossy.
ΚΠ
1963 Times 8 Jan. 11/2 A mid-tone matt or semi-gloss single colour.
semi gown n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪ ˌɡaʊn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪ ˌɡaʊn/
,
/ˈsɛmi ˌɡaʊn/
etc.), (a) fashionable dress (gown, etc.) of less than fully formal design suitable for both afternoon and evening wear.
semi-grand adj. and n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈɡrand/
,
/ˈsɛmɪɡrand/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈɡrænd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈɡrænd/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪˌɡrænd/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌɡrænd/
a modified form of the grand piano.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > keyboard instrument > stringed keyboards > [noun] > pianoforte > types of piano
grand pianoforte1784
square pianoforte1787
grand piano1795
cottage pianoforte1816
cottage piano1824
table piano1827
table pianoforte1827
tin kettle1827
grand1830
piccolo1831
Broadwood1832
semi-grand1835
pianino1848
cottage1850
square piano1853
street piano1855
upright1860
pianette1862
digitorium1866
Steinway1875
baby grand1879
square1882
tin pan1882
honky-tonk piano1934
minipiano1934
spinet1936
prepared piano1940
ravalement1959
rinky-tink1961
miniature1974
Mozart piano1980
1835 Court Mag. 6 220/2 Several semi-grands were also shown to us: these were equal in power to ordinary grand piano-fortes, but with a lengthened undulation of sound.
1842 Penny Mag. 30 Apr. 172/1 The semi-grand pianoforte.
1875 R. Browning Inn Album ii. 35 A bran-new bore she calls a ‘semigrand’.
semi-hardy adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈhɑːdi/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈhɑrdi/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈhɑrdi/
= half-hardy adj.
ΚΠ
1901 Yearbk. U.S. Dept. Agric. 439 Semihardy sorts may be tipped over by cutting the roots on one side.
semi-hexagonal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪhɛkˈsaɡənl/
,
/ˌsɛmɪhɛkˈsaɡn̩l/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌhɛkˈsæɡən(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌhɛkˈsæɡən(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1843 M. H. Bloxam Princ. Gothic Eccles. Archit. (ed. 5) 87 A semihexagonal one [sc. string-course], as at Hampton-in-Arden.
semi-high adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈhʌɪ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈhaɪ/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈhaɪ/
= half-high adj. at half adv. Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > having specific parts > neckline
decolouredc1430
high1590
low-cuta1600
low1818
low-necked1830
low-neck1858
décolleté1884
semi-high1905
boat-shaped1921
turtle-necked1931
crew neck1940
polo-collared1946
polo-necked1948
plunge-line1949
plunge-necked1949
crew-necked1950
plunge neck1951
scoop-necked1955
bateau-necked1959
1905 Daily Chron. 2 Nov. 3/5 Semi-high bodices.
semi-hoop n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪhuːp/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌhup/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌhup/
a semicircular arc or arch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [noun] > curve of shape of part of circle > semicircular arc
semi-hoop1687
sigma1788
1687 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 226 They caused..the forefront..of the arches of the several gates to be trimmed up with bowes and green leaves tied to a semi-hoop.
1835–6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. I. 283/2 In the true Rasores..the posterior lateral processes pass backwards exterior to the ribs, supporting them in the Capercailzie, like a semi-hoop.
semi-humanitarian adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪhjʊˌmanᵻˈtɛːrɪən/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˌhjuːmanᵻˈtɛːrɪən/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪhjuˌmænəˈtɛriən/
,
/ˌsɛmihjuˌmænəˈtɛriən/
ΚΠ
1833 J. H. Newman Arians 4th Cent. i. 137 The change to the second [position], or semi-humanitarian, may be detected in the Sabellians.
semi-intensive adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪɪnˈtɛnsɪv/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪᵻnˈtɛnsɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmiᵻnˈtɛnsɪv/
Agriculture of or pertaining to a method of rearing livestock that includes features of intensive farming.
ΚΠ
1935 J. S. Hicks Encycl. Poultry II. 509 A semi-intensive house may be of any size from one, say, 6 ft. by 6 ft. by 6 ft., capable of housing ten or a dozen birds, to a mammoth affair for the accommodation of 500 or more layers.
1966 Economist 1 Oct. 72/2 Beef growers are turning to what is termed ‘semi-intensive’ beef rearing instead. This combines intensive grazing with fattening on high protein compounds to produce a 15- to 18-month-old beast for market.
semi-island n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌʌɪlənd/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈʌɪlənd/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌaɪlənd/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌaɪlənd/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈaɪlənd/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈaɪlənd/
a piece of land that becomes insular at high tide.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > land mass > island > [noun] > tidal
bridge-islet1824
semi-islet1867
semi-island1870
1870 F. R. Wilson Archit. Surv. Churches Lindisfarne 20 The Venerable Bede writes of Lindisfarne as a semi~island.
semi-islet n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪˌʌɪlᵻt/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌaɪlət/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌaɪlət/
a piece of land that becomes insular at high tide.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > land mass > island > [noun] > tidal
bridge-islet1824
semi-islet1867
semi-island1870
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Semi-islet, an old term for bridge-islet.
semileptonic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪlɛpˈtɒnɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌlɛpˈtɑnɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌlɛpˈtɑnɪk/
Particle Physics involving both leptons and hadrons.
ΚΠ
1965 Physical Rev. Lett. 14 51 (heading) SU(6) and semileptonic interactions.
semileptonically adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪlɛpˈtɒnᵻkli/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌlɛpˈtɑnək(ə)li/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌlɛpˈtɑnək(ə)li/
ΚΠ
1979 Nature 14 June 588/2 If the D decays semi-leptonically some of its energy is taken by the unobserved neutrino.
semi-logical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
(see quot. 1827).
ΚΠ
1827 R. Whately Elements Logic (ed. 2) 138 The other kind [of Logical Fallacies] may be most properly called semi-logical; viz. all the cases of ambiguous middle Term except its non-distribution.
semi-lucent adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈluːsnt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈlus(ə)nt/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈlus(ə)nt/
ΚΠ
1818 J. Keats Endymion iv. 178 Smooth semilucent mist.
1919 V. Woolf Night & Day xi. 138 Rodney's windows..were a semilucent red colour.
semi-main n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪmeɪn/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌmeɪn/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌmeɪn/
U.S. = repechage n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun] > game or definite spell of play > specific one of series
heata1663
rubber game1793
round1837
rubber match1843
tie-match1864
final1880
postseason1882
semi-final1884
preliminary1886
cup-tie1895
play-off1895
tie1895
leg1899
repechage1899
qualifier1908
quarter-final1916
playdown1918
rounder1918
go-around1933
quick death1938
semi1942
pretrial1946
quarter1950
barrage1955
tie-breaker1961
semi-main1968
tie-break1970
breaker1979
1968 Surfer Jan. 48/1 Overland finally got into the finals by winning the men's semi-main.
1979 Tucson (Arizona) Citizen 28 Apr. 2 b/5 The top two finishers in the consolation and 25-lap semi-main will qualify for the final run for the lion's share of the $12,000 purse.
semi-manufacture n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪmanjᵿˈfaktʃə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌmæn(j)əˈfæk(t)ʃər/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌmæn(j)əˈfæk(t)ʃər/
a product made from raw materials and used in the manufacture of finished goods.
ΚΠ
1935 Economist 16 Feb. 353/1 Japan is exporting more finished goods and manufactured foodstuffs, importing more raw materials and semi-manufactures.
1979 Shell Trade in Eastern Europe (Shell Internat. Petroleum Co.) 3 Historically, Eastern European exports to the West have been principally raw materials, semi-manufactures, fuels and agricultural produce.
semi-mute adj. and n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈmjuːt/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈmjut/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈmjut/
applied to those who, through deafness, speak only imperfectly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > defective or inarticulate speech > [noun] > specific disorders or faults
tongue-tiedness1598
plateasm1656
tongue-tying1762
paraphonia1772
lullaby-speech1822
cleft palate1847
paralalia1848
logoneurosis1857
zetacism1860
alogia1864
lallation1864
lambdacism1864
semi-mute1864
heterophemy1875
agrammatism1877
bradyphrasia1877
heterophasia1877
logopathy1877
paragraphia1877
paralexia1877
paraphasia1877
paraphrasia1877
verbigeration1877
recurring utterance1878
word blindness1878
word deafness1878
scanning1887
sigmatism1888
idioglossia1891
staccato utterance1898
word salad1904
palilalia1908
paragrammatism1924
idiolalia1930
dysprosody1947
Broca's aphasia1959
1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Semi-mute.
1896 Godey's Mag. Feb. 163/1 The oral work which was at first only done for the benefit of semi~mutes.
semi-nervous adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈnəːvəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈnərvəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈnərvəs/
ΚΠ
1693 tr. S. Blankaart Physical Dict. (ed. 2) 185 Seminervosus Musculus, the Seminervous Muscle.
semi-portal adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpɔːtl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpɔrdl/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpɔrdl/
applied to a crane mounted on a frame consisting essentially of a horizontal member supported at one end by an upright.
ΚΠ
1908 A. Tolhausen tr. A. Böttcher Cranes vi. 256 (heading) Semi-portal travelling crane, with central steam supply station.
1958 Times Rev. Industry Oct. 20/3 Electric semi-portal cranes serving three transit sheds.
semi-precious adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈprɛʃəs/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈprɛʃəs/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈprɛʃəs/
(of stones) that may be cut and polished but are not of sufficient value to rank as gems.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > gem or precious stone > [adjective] > quality
noblea1393
femalea1398
malea1398
orientc1400
fine-cut1598
of the old (also new) rock1598
watered1624
occidental1747
semi-precious1905
1905 Bookman June 83/1 Metal clasps set with semi-precious stones.
semi-proletariat n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪprəʊlᵻˈtɛːrɪət/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌproʊləˈtɛriət/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌproʊləˈtɛriət/
[translating Chinese bànwúchǎnjiējí (1926 Mao Zedong)] Communism the class of poor peasants and others intermediate between the proletariat and the petty bourgeoisie.
ΚΠ
1951 tr. M. Litvinoff in J. Degras Soviet Documents on Foreign Policy I. 136 This new apparatus of power should embody the dictatorship of the working class (and in some places also the rural semi-proletariat, i.e. the poor peasants).
1965 J. Ch'ên Mao & Chinese Revol. (1967) i. v. 110 The semi-proletariat, according to Mao, consisted of the overwhelming majority of the semi-tenant peasants, poor peasants, handicraftsmen, shop assistants and pedlars.
1975 J. De Bres tr. E. Mandel Late Capitalism xi. 362 Many of the producers in the export branch are recruited from the stratum of the semi-proletariat who engage in wage labour only to obtain a supplementary income to eke out their means of subsistence in agriculture.
semi-proof n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪpruːf/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌpruf/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌpruf/
proof depending on the evidence of a single witness.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > evidence > [noun] > proof > depending on single witness
semi-proof1728
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Semi-Proof, an imperfect Proof. The Depositions of a single Evidence only make a Semi-proof.
1856 J. Bouvier Law Dict. U.S.A. (ed. 6) Semi-proof. Presumptions of fact are so called.
semi-psychic adv. and adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsʌɪkɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsaɪkɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsaɪkɪk/
Bridge (see quot. 1964).
ΚΠ
1960 T. Reese Play Bridge with Reese 118 Unless he has opened semi-psychic he should have both the minor suit Queens.
1962 Listener 3 May 790/3 North opened with a semi-psychic One Club.
1964 R. L. Frey & A. F. Truscott Official Encycl. Bridge 493/2 Semi-psychic, a departure from normal bidding methods which is not a complete bluff but is still intended to deceive the opponents. The term usually refers to an opening bid well below minimum values, but lead-inhibiting bids belong in the same category.
semi-quantitative adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkwɒntᵻtətɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈkwɒntᵻteɪtɪv/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkwɑn(t)əˌteɪdɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkwɑn(t)əˌteɪdɪv/
partly quantitative; approximate; based on or yielding approximate figures.
ΚΠ
1929 Parker & Crozier in C. Murchison Found. Exper. Psychol. viii. 362 The comparison of odors is possible, in an empirically semi-quantitative way, by the use of several such instruments.
1977 Sci. Amer. May 39/2 The first semiquantitative step in generalizing the theory of crystalline semiconductors to amorphous materials was taken by Sir Nevill Mott of the University of Cambridge.
semi-quantitatively adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈkwɒntᵻtətᵻvli/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈkwɒntᵻteɪtᵻvli/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈkwɑn(t)əˌteɪdᵻvli/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈkwɑn(t)əˌteɪdᵻvli/
ΚΠ
1956 Nature 21 Jan. 127/1 The intermediate products formed in the hydrolysis of the cyclic oligomers of ε-caprolactam..have been identified and semi-quantitatively determined.
semi-reflecting adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈflɛktɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈflɛktɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈflɛktɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈflɛktɪŋ/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈflɛktɪŋ/
designating a material of low reflectivity (usually a film deposited on a transparent base) which permits partial reflection and partial transmission.
ΚΠ
1927 Jrnl. Sci. Instruments 4 491 (heading) Semi-reflecting surfaces.
1946 Nature 20 July 101/2 For glass surfaces that have not been made semi-reflecting these [interference patterns] do not have the contrast of reflected interference patterns.
semi-reflection n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈflɛkʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈflɛkʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈflɛkʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈflɛkʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈflɛkʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1976 Z. Knittl Optics of Thin Films ix. 374 A common feature of many synthesis problems is the condition for 1(ω2) to be flat in a certain range about ω = 0 and at a certain level. Depending on this level we have the anti~reflection or the semireflection problem.
semi-reflective adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪrᵻˈflɛktɪv/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪrəˈflɛktɪv/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪriˈflɛktɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmirəˈflɛktɪv/
,
/ˌsɛmiriˈflɛktɪv/
ΚΠ
1973 Sci. Amer. June 69/1 The devices can be made transmissive for rear-lighting applications,..or semireflective for both kinds of operation.
semi-reflector n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪrᵻˌflɛktə/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪrəˌflɛktər/
,
/ˈsɛˌmaɪriˌflɛktər/
,
/ˈsɛmirəˌflɛktər/
,
/ˈsɛmiriˌflɛktər/
ΚΠ
1945 Jrnl. Sci. Instruments 22 103/1 Before 1936, the majority of semi-reflectors were made by chemical deposition of silver.
1976 Z. Knittl Optics of Thin Films ix. 397 Chebyshev-type semireflectors..may be only one of the ways of achieving a broad-band maximum.
semi-scale n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪskeɪl/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌskeɪl/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌskeɪl/
half or some fraction of full-scale; usually attributive.
ΚΠ
1946 Nature 7 Sept. 337/2 It is impossible in chemical engineering and many other branches of applied science to conduct research entirely in the laboratory; full-scale or semi-scale plant must be used.
1973 Nature 2 Feb. 319/1 In ‘semi-scale’ tests (about a tenth the size of a real reactor) water failed..to stay in the test vessel.
semi-sequitur n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈsɛkwᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈsɛkwədər/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈsɛkwədər/
[after non sequitur] an inference or conclusion which is related only indirectly to the premisses.
ΚΠ
1965 Punch 24 Nov. 779/1 The discords between received Edwardian fiction and child-observed fact work as poignantly as ever, as do the semi-sequiturs: ‘He was broad and stout and had a manful way of carelessly swinging his arms that gave him many friends.’
semi-sub n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪsʌb/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌsəb/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌsəb/
short for semi-submersible adj. and n.
ΚΠ
1975 Offshore Engineer Sept. 55/1 Staflo..and Sea Quest..along with the ill-fated Ocean Prince, are the only semi-subs built in the UK.
semi-submersible adj. and n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsəbˈməːsᵻbl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪsəbˈmərsəb(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmisəbˈmərsəb(ə)l/
(applied to) an offshore drilling platform or barge equipped with submerged hollow pontoons that can be flooded with water when the vessel is anchored on site in order to give it stability against waves and wind.
ΚΠ
1962 World Oil Sept. 96/3 The rig is an all weather, semi-submersible which is submerged to the 40 foot level in normal drilling operations.
1963 World Petroleum Aug. 47/1 The semi-submersible vessels give a desired balance between cost, safety and performance.
1975 North Sea Background Notes (Brit. Petroleum Co.) 11 Semi-submersibles can be used for drilling when resting on the sea bottom, but they are generally employed in the floating position.
1980 Christian Sci. Monitor (Mid-western ed.) 4 Dec. 11/1 A third delineation well..was spudded on Nov. 14 five miles west of P-15 by the newly arrived semi-submersible drilling rig.
semi-synthetic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪsɪnˈθɛtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˌsɪnˈθɛdɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˌsɪnˈθɛdɪk/
that is a mixture of synthetic and natural materials, or has been prepared by artificial modification of a natural material; that is a combination of synthetic and natural processes.
ΚΠ
1946 Nature 7 Sept. 350/2 The method may give still better results if..semi-synthetic mediums are used for the toxin production.
1974 Nature 19 Apr. 706/2 Rats..were fed a semisynthetic diet for 3 months.
† semi-time n. Obsolete ‘half a time’ (see Revelation xii. 14 and cf. Daniel vii. 25, xii. 7).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [noun] > stretch, period, or portion of time > half of
half-time1662
semi-time1664
1664 H. More Expos. 7 Epist. vi. 105 Those people that keep my works to the end, to the last semi-time of the Seven, they shall have power over the Pagan Christians.
1685 H. More Paralipomena Prophetica 236 A Semi-time (which I call also, in one word, an Hexamenon).
semi-tint n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪtɪnt/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌtɪnt/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌtɪnt/
(see quot. 1728; = half tint n. at half adj. Compounds 2).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > [noun] > half-tint or half-tone
mezzotintoa1650
semi-tint1728
mezzotint1738
middle tone1838
half-tone1867
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Teints Semi-Teints, in Painting, the several Colours us'd in a Picture, consider'd as more or less high, or bright, or deep, or thin, or weaken'd, or diminish'd, &c.
1773 Gentleman's Mag. 43 216 The great lights..are well enough coloured, but the semi-tints..are..without grace or variety.
semi-tropic adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈtrɒpɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈtrɑpɪk/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈtrɑpɪk/
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > region of the earth > zone or belt > [adjective] > bordering on tropics > characteristic of
subtropical1829
subtropic1842
semi-tropic1853
1853 C. Kingsley Hypatia I. ix. 207 The balmy semi-tropic night.
1896 Yearbk. U.S. Dept. Agric. 191 The citrus and other semi~tropic fruits.
semi-tropical adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈtrɒpᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈtrɑpək(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈtrɑpək(ə)l/
subtropical.
ΚΠ
1856 J. C. Patteson Let. 18 June in C. M. Yonge Life J. C. Patteson (1874) I. 258 Many New Zealand and many semi-tropical plants.
1860 [see semi-alpine adj. at sense 1a(a)].
1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer (1891) 214 The growth of certain semi-tropical crops.
semi-tropics n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈtrɒpɪks/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈtrɑpɪks/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈtrɑpɪks/
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > region of the earth > zone or belt > [noun] > one of five > subtropical
semi-tropics1908
1908 R. W. Chambers Firing Line x These quaint little black quail of the semi-tropics.
semi-truck n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪtrʌk/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌtrək/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌtrək/
U.S. = semi-trailer n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motor lorry, truck, or van > [noun] > truck or lorry > articulated lorry > trailer or types of trailer
pole trailer1919
semi-trailer1919
pantech1942
Queen Mary1942
semi1942
tautliner1970
Ohio spread1971
spread1971
tri-axle1971
semi-truck1975
1975 J. Grady Shadow of Condor viii. 130 The bus parked between two idling semi-trucks.
semi-variable adj.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈvɛːrɪəbl/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈvɛriəb(ə)l/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈvɛriəb(ə)l/
Economics of a cost (see quot. 1965).
ΚΠ
1965 H. K. Compton Gloss. Purchasing & Supplies Managem. Terms 123 Semi-variable cost, a cost which is partly fixed and partly variable, such as the cost of placing orders, carrying stock, etc., each of which has a fixed cost content, and a variable cost proportional to the volume of throughput.
1971 D. C. Hague Managerial Econ. (rev. ed.) ii. v. 104 Depreciation is a semi-variable cost.
semi-works n.
Brit. /ˈsɛmɪwəːks/
,
U.S. /ˈsɛˌmaɪˌwərks/
,
/ˈsɛmiˌwərks/
U.S. a manufacturing plant used to develop and perfect a new product or process after testing in a pilot plant and before full-scale production; usually attributive.
ΚΠ
1935 Industr. & Eng. Chem. 27 863/2 The main purpose of the semi-works is the development to a financially profitable stage of those processes which have been initiated in the laboratory.
1945 H. D. Smyth Gen. Acct. Devel. Atomic Energy Mil. Purposes vii. 74 These include all aspects of the research, development and semi-works studies necessary for the design, construction, and operation of chain-reacting piles.
1956 A. H. Compton Atomic Quest 152 A ‘semi-works’ installation where they could train the men needed for the final operation and where they could make preliminary tests of their equipment and processes.

Draft additions September 2013

semi-permanently adv.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈpəːmənəntli/
,
/ˌsɛmɪˈpəːmn̩əntli/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈpərm(ə)nən(t)li/
,
/ˌsɛmiˈpərm(ə)nən(t)li/
ΚΠ
1877 Dental Cosmos 19 452 The premature devitalization of the pulp of a permanent tooth..thus leaves, semi-permanently, a pathological tooth.
1962 E. Godfrey Retail Selling & Organization x. 98 A demonstrator might be employed, permanently or semi-permanently as required.
1979 Time 8 Jan. 21/3 Last week the American and Soviet negotiators who are semipermanently based in Geneva were already back at the conference table.
2003 E. A. Heaman St Mary's xiii. 373 The junior post in the medical unit was semi-permanently occupied by a New Zealander.

Draft additions June 2017

semi-western grip n.
Brit. /ˌsɛmɪˈwɛst(ə)n ɡrɪp/
,
U.S. /ˌsɛmiˈwɛstərn ˌɡrɪp/
,
/ˌsɛˌmaɪˈwɛstərn ˌɡrɪp/
Tennis (originally U.S.) a manner of gripping the racket in which (for a right-handed player) the bottom knuckle of the index finger is in contact with the right vertical panel of the racket handle and the heel of the hand with the bevel immediately clockwise from it, now used to generate topspin on shots.So named because the racket is held in a similar fashion to, but in a less oblique orientation than, the western grip.The western and semi-western grips had largely fallen out of use until changes in racket technology in the late 20th cent. facilitated greater use of topspin.
ΚΠ
1935 Somerset (Pa.) Daily Herald 28 May 2/2 A semi-western grip that made him a faster and more powerful player.
1982 Washington Post 22 Aug. d9/3 When hitting the forehand, use an eastern or semi-western grip.
2011 Independent (Nexis) 25 June (Sport section) 6 To get it right you have to use a semi-western grip, the one the baseliners like.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
prefix?1550
随便看

　

英语词典包含1132095条英英释义在线翻译词条，基本涵盖了全部常用单词的英英翻译及用法，是英语学习的有利工具。

　

Copyright © 2004-2022 Newdu.com All Rights Reserved
更新时间：2025/3/28 1:53:59