halve

[hav, hahv] /hæv, hɑv/
verb (used with object), halved, halving.
1.
to divide into two equal parts.
2.
to share equally:
to halve one's rations with a stranger.
3.
to reduce to half.
4.
Golf. to play (a hole, round, or match) in the same number of strokes as one's opponent.
Idioms
5.
halve together, to join (two pieces of wood) by cutting from one, at the place of joining, a portion fitting to that left solid in the other.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English halven, derivative of half
Related forms
unhalved, adjective
Can be confused
halve, have.
Examples from the web for halve
  • halve dough and form each half into a disk, then wrap in wax paper.
  • Gather dough into a ball, then halve dough and wrap each half in plastic wrap.
  • halve cake lengthwise, then transfer half to a cutting board and spread with all of pastry cream.
  • By succeeding, they halve the distance of coast-to-coast water travel- but formidable obstacles had to be conquered.
  • halve the size of all committees and reduce the number of times any committee is allowed to meet by the same amount.
  • The sopaipillas are quite large, so feel free to halve the recipe.
  • Really exciting news about a new malaria vaccine that could halve the risk of the disease.
  • If you can halve it and keep the two halves oriented around one hinge side the same effect is evident.
  • The result would halve the cost of a battery for an all-electric vehicle.
  • It plans to halve the amount of food it distributes.
British Dictionary definitions for halve

halve

/hɑːv/
verb (transitive)
1.
to divide into two approximately equal parts
2.
to share equally
3.
to reduce by half, as by cutting
4.
(golf) to take the same number of strokes on (a hole or round) as one's opponent
Word Origin
Old English hielfan; related to Middle High German helben; see half
Word Origin and History for halve
v.

c.1200, halfen "to divide in halves;" see half. Meaning "to reduce by half" is from c.1400. Related: Halved; halving.