What is "in half"

Half \Half\ (h[aum]f), n.; pl. Halves (h[aum]vz). [AS. healf. See Half, a.]

1. Part; side; behalf. [Obs.]
   --Wyclif.

   The four halves of the house.
   --Chaucer.

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.

   Not half his riches known, and yet despised.
   --Milton.

   A friendship so complete Portioned in halves between us.
   --Tennyson.

   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.

prep.phr. 1 (label en set phrase) Into two halves. 2 (label en set phrase) By a divisor of two; to a numerical value which is half of the original value.