Mezza

Mezza is the feminine form of the Italian adjective mezzo, meaning half or partial. It is used to modify feminine nouns to indicate a half portion, a partial degree, or a partial time frame, and it appears in many common phrases and idioms. The masculine form is mezzo, and the feminine plural is mezze (for example, mezze verità meaning half-tr truths).

Grammatical notes: mezza agrees with feminine nouns (mezza luna, mezza ora). Before words beginning with a vowel, the form can contract to mezz’ as in mezz’ora (half an hour). The plural feminine form is mezze, as in mezze verità (half-truths).

Common uses and phrases: mezza luna (half moon), mezza porzione (half portion), mezza giornata (half a day), mezza tazza (half a cup). In music, mezza voce is a direction meaning to sing with a light, half-voice effect, contrasting with piena voce (full voice). The expression mezzo or mezza verità is used to indicate a partial truth.

Etymology and related forms: mezza derives from mezzo, tracing to Latin medius meaning middle or half. The construction is widespread in Italian for signaling partial quantity, duration, or degree, and it often participates in compound forms such as mezzogiorno (midday) or mezzanotte (midnight) where the root mezzo combines with another word.

See also: mezze, the plural form of mezza in certain phrases, and mezzogiorno and mezzanotte as common compound nouns. Mezze in other languages or contexts can refer to different concepts (for example mezze as a set of Mediterranean dishes), which are etymologically related but distinct from the Italian mezza usage.