demi-

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

demi-

prefix

1. half Compare hemi- semi-

   demirelief

2. of less than full size, status, or rank

   demigod

Word History and Origins

Origin of demi-¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of demi-¹

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

Example Sentences

Michael, 33, is on holiday in Turkey with his wife Demi, 29, their two children, and other relatives.

From BBC

The family - including the couple's two young daughters, and Bruce's other three daughters with former partner, actress Demi Moore - still see flashes of his true personality, Heming Willis noted, as well as the "twinkle in his eye."

From BBC

Demi Laverty, a community worker in the town, said "political negligence" and a lack of public services has led to "socioeconomic deprivation".

From BBC

For Demi Laverty, the violence should be a wake-up call.

From BBC

Since Demi Moore’s famous 1991 cover for Vanity Fair where she posed naked at seven months pregnant, we have steadily recovered from the shock of seeing the pregnant body celebrated in fashion shoots and celebrity images.

From Slate