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Halve: meaning, definitions and examples

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halve

 

[ hæv ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

division action

To halve something means to divide it into two equal parts. This action can be applied to quantities such as numbers, amounts of food, or any objects that can be split in half.

Synonyms

bifurcate, divide, reduce, split

Examples of usage

  • Please halve the cake before serving.
  • He decided to halve his daily calorie intake.
  • The recipe calls for halving the ingredients for a smaller portion.
  • If we halve the budget, it will impact the project's scope.

Translations

Translations of the word "halve" in other languages:

🇵🇹 metade

🇮🇳 आधा

🇩🇪 halbieren

🇮🇩 setengah

🇺🇦 половина

🇵🇱 połowa

🇯🇵 半分

🇫🇷 moitié

🇪🇸 mitad

🇹🇷 yarı

🇰🇷 절반

🇸🇦 نصف

🇨🇿 polovina

🇸🇰 polovica

🇨🇳 一半

🇸🇮 polovica

🇮🇸 helmingur

🇰🇿 жарты

🇬🇪 ნახვა

🇦🇿 yarım

🇲🇽 mitad

Etymology

The word 'halve' originates from the Old English term 'healf', meaning 'half'. This term has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word '*halwaz', which also refers to half or a part of something. Over the centuries, 'halve' has maintained the same fundamental meaning, illustrating the concept of dividing an entity into equal parts. In Middle English, the verb evolved as 'halven', which later transitioned into its modern form. The simplicity and practicality of the concept of halving have made it an enduring and essential aspect of everyday language, particularly in contexts involving measurements, cooking, and resource allocation. Its use has been recorded in various texts throughout history, indicating its significance in both verbal communication and written language.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,746, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.