'Half back' definitions:

Definition of 'Half back'

From: GCIDE
  • Back \Back\ (b[a^]k), n. [AS. b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b[=e]g[u^] flight. Cf. Bacon.]
  • 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish, or lobster. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge. [1913 Webster]
  • [The mountains] their broad bare backs upheave Into the clouds. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back of a hand rail. [1913 Webster]
  • Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this, Gave me your hands, the backs and palms to kiss. --Donne. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a chimney. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. A support or resource in reserve. [1913 Webster]
  • This project Should have a back or second, that might hold, If this should blast in proof. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 8. (Naut.) The keel and keelson of a ship. [1913 Webster]
  • 9. (Mining) The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage. [1913 Webster]
  • 10. A garment for the back; hence, clothing. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • A bak to walken inne by daylight. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
  • Behind one's back, when one is absent; without one's knowledge; as, to ridicule a person behind his back.
  • Full back, Half back, Quarter back (Football), players stationed behind those in the front line.
  • To be on one's back or To lie on one's back, to be helpless.
  • To put one's back up or to get one's back up, to assume an attitude of obstinate resistance (from the action of a cat when attacked). [Colloq.]
  • To see the back of, to get rid of.
  • To turn the back, to go away; to flee.
  • To turn the back on one, to forsake or neglect him. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Half back'

From: GCIDE
  • Half \Half\ (h[aum]f), a. [AS. healf, half, half; as a noun, half, side, part; akin to OS., OFries., & D. half, G. halb, Sw. half, Dan. halv, Icel. h[=a]lfr, Goth. halbs. Cf. Halve, Behalf.]
  • 1. Consisting of a moiety, or half; as, a half bushel; a half hour; a half dollar; a half view. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The adjective and noun are often united to form a compound. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect; as, a half dream; half knowledge. [1913 Webster]
  • Assumed from thence a half consent. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
  • Half ape (Zool.), a lemur.
  • Half back. (Football) See under 2d Back.
  • Half bent, the first notch, for the sear point to enter, in the tumbler of a gunlock; the halfcock notch.
  • Half binding, a style of bookbinding in which only the back and corners are in leather.
  • Half boarder, one who boards in part; specifically, a scholar at a boarding school who takes dinner only.
  • Half-breadth plan (Shipbuilding), a horizontal plan of one half a vessel, divided lengthwise, showing the lines.
  • Half cadence (Mus.), a cadence on the dominant.
  • Half cap, a slight salute with the cap. [Obs.] --Shak.
  • At half cock, the position of the cock of a gun when retained by the first notch.
  • Half hitch, a sailor's knot in a rope; half of a clove hitch.
  • Half hose, short stockings; socks.
  • Half measure, an imperfect or weak line of action.
  • Half note (Mus.), a minim, one half of a semibreve.
  • Half pay, half of the wages or salary; reduced pay; as, an officer on half pay.
  • Half price, half the ordinary price; or a price much reduced.
  • Half round. (a) (Arch.) A molding of semicircular section. (b) (Mech.) Having one side flat and the other rounded; -- said of a file.
  • Half shift (Mus.), a position of the hand, between the open position and the first shift, in playing on the violin and kindred instruments. See Shift.
  • Half step (Mus.), a semitone; the smallest difference of pitch or interval, used in music.
  • Half tide, the time or state of the tide equally distant from ebb and flood.
  • Half time, half the ordinary time for work or attendance; as, the half-time system.
  • Half tint (Fine Arts), a middle or intermediate tint, as in drawing or painting. See Demitint.
  • Half truth, a statement only partially true, or which gives only a part of the truth. --Mrs. Browning.
  • Half year, the space of six months; one term of a school when there are two terms in a year. [1913 Webster]