What is "to hang the flag at half-staff"

Flag \Flag\, n. [Cf. LG. & G. flagge, Sw. flagg, Dan. flag, D. vlag. See Flag to hang loose.]

1. That which flags or hangs down loosely.

2. A cloth usually bearing a device or devices and used to indicate nationality, party, etc., or to give or ask information; -- commonly attached to a staff to be waved by the wind; a standard; a banner; an ensign; the colors; as, the national flag; a military or a naval flag.

3. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. A group of feathers on the lower part of the legs of certain hawks, owls, etc.

   2. A group of elongated wing feathers in certain hawks.

   3. The bushy tail of a dog, as of a setter.

4. (Zo["o]l.) One of the wing feathers next the body of a bird; -- called also flag feather.

   Black flag. See under Black.

   Flag captain, Flag leutenant, etc., special officers attached to the flagship, as aids to the flag officer.

   Flag officer, the commander of a fleet or squadron; an admiral, or commodore.

   Flag of truse, a white flag carried or displayed to an enemy, as an invitation to conference, or for the purpose of making some communication not hostile.

   Flag share, the flag officer's share of prize money.

   Flag station (Railroad), a station at which trains do not stop unless signaled to do so, by a flag hung out or waved.

   National flag, a flag of a particular country, on which some national emblem or device, is emblazoned.

   Red flag, a flag of a red color, displayed as a signal of danger or token of defiance; the emblem of anarchists.

   To dip, the flag, to mlower it and quickly restore it to its place; -- done as a mark of respect.

   To hang out the white flag, to ask truce or quarter, or, in some cases, to manifest a friendly design by exhibiting a white flag.

   To hang the flag half-mast high or To hang the flag half-staff or To hang the flag at half-staff, to raise it only half way to the mast or staff, as a token or sign of mourning.

   To strike the flag or To lower the flag, to haul it down, in token of respect, submission, or, in an engagement, of surrender.

   Yellow flag, the quarantine flag of all nations; also carried at a vessel's fore, to denote that an infectious disease is on board.