semi

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

semi
    n 1: one of the two competitions in the next to the last round
         of an elimination tournament [syn: {semifinal}, {semi}]
    2: a truck consisting of a tractor and trailer together [syn:
       {trailer truck}, {tractor trailer}, {trucking rig}, {rig},
       {articulated lorry}, {semi}]
    3: a trailer having wheels only in the rear; the front is
       supported by the towing vehicle [syn: {semitrailer}, {semi}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Semi- \Sem"i-\ [L. semi; akin to Gr. ???, Skr. s[=a]mi-, AS.
   s[=a]m-, and prob. to E. same, from the division into two
   parts of the same size. Cf. {Hemi-}, {Sandelend}.]
   A prefix signifying half, and sometimes partly or
   imperfectly; as, semiannual, half yearly; semitransparent,
   imperfectly transparent.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The prefix semi is joined to another word either with
         the hyphen or without it. In this book the hyphen is
         omitted except before a capital letter; as, semiacid,
         semiaquatic, semi-Arian, semiaxis, semicalcareous.
         [1913 Webster]

from Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)

semi
 /se'mee/, /se'mi:/

   1. n. Abbreviation for `semicolon', when speaking. "Commands to
   {grind} are prefixed by semi-semi-star" means that the prefix is ;;*,
   not 1/4 of a star.

   2. A prefix used with words such as `immediately' as a qualifier.
   "When is the system coming up?" "Semi-immediately." (That is, maybe
   not for an hour.) "We did consider that possibility semi-seriously."
   See also {infinite}.

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

semi

   /se'mee/ or /se'mi:/ A spoken abbreviation for semicolon.

   "Commands to {grind} are prefixed by semi semi star" means
   that the prefix is ";;*", not 1/4 of a star.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1995-01-31)