halflength

Halflength, commonly written as half-length or half length, is a non-technical descriptor used to indicate a length or extent approximately half of a defined reference. The term is not universally standardized, and its precise meaning depends on the domain. In general, halflength signifies a mid-range dimension between short and full-length forms.

In portraiture and photography, a half-length portrait typically shows the subject from the head down to the waist or hips. The framing aims to balance detail with context, offering more presence than a head-and-shoulders shot while avoiding the full-body view.

In fashion and design, halflength is used to describe garments or features that lie between short and full-length styles. For example, a half-length garment might end midway along the body, and sleeves or other elements described as half-length prove variable by designer and tradition.

In mathematics, science, and manufacturing, half-length can denote a quantity equal to one half of a specified length—such as half the length of a segment or a radius defined as half of a diameter. It is usually expressed with the hyphenated form half-length.

Origins and usage notes: The compound is typically hyphenated as half-length; the single-word halflength appears only in limited or historical contexts. The term overlaps with related expressions such as mid-length, partial length, and semi-length and is driven by context.