from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Half \Half\ (h[aum]f), n.; pl. {Halves} (h[aum]vz). [AS. healf.
See {Half}, a.]
1. Part; side; behalf. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
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The four halves of the house. --Chaucer.
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2. One of two equal parts into which anything may be divided,
or considered as divided; -- sometimes followed by of; as,
a half of an apple.
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Not half his riches known, and yet despised.
--Milton.
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A friendship so complete
Portioned in halves between us. --Tennyson.
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{Better half}. See under {Better}.
{In half}, in two; an expression sometimes used improperly
instead of {in halves} or {into halves}; as, to cut in
half. [Colloq.] --Dickens.
{In one's half} or {On one's half}, in one's behalf; on one's
part. [Obs.]
{To cry halves}, to claim an equal share with another.
{To go halves}, to share equally between two.
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