verb
halve
HAV/hæv/
To make something half its original size or amount.
The straight cut halves the flatbread into two equal semicircles.
Etymology
The verb halven was formed from half, whose older meaning was “side” or “part,” not necessarily an equal portion. The verb expresses the more specific division into two equal parts.
In context
If you're using fine table salt, I would halve the amount because you really pack a lot more salt into each little spoonful.
More examples
- Halve the sugar in this recipe.
- The store halved the price of winter coats.
- We're halving our expenses by sharing an apartment.
Forms
halve · halves · halved · halving
half noun — One of two equal parts of something.