half-mast
See also: half mast
English
Alternative forms
- half mast
Noun
half-mast (uncountable)
- The lowered position, half the height of a mast, at which a flag is flown when mourning, especially expressing respect for the dead.
- 2016 October 13, Department for Culture, Media & Sport and Foreign & Commonwealth Office, "Flag-flying from UK government buildings for the death of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand", GOV.UK, Government Digital Service:
- Any other UK national flags flown alongside the Union Flag when it is at half-mast should also be at half-mast.
- 2016 October 13, Department for Culture, Media & Sport and Foreign & Commonwealth Office, "Flag-flying from UK government buildings for the death of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand", GOV.UK, Government Digital Service:
- (by extension) The lowered position of any thing.
- (euphemistic, of a man) The state of being partially erect
- 2009, Stephen Cannell, At First Sight: A Novel of Obsession, Vanguard Press →ISBN, page 227
- Finally, he was at half-mast, hanging out over the toilet seat, barely erect.
- 2009, Stephen Cannell, At First Sight: A Novel of Obsession, Vanguard Press →ISBN, page 227
Synonyms
- (flag) half-staff
- (erection) semi
Translations
lowered position of a flag
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lowered position of any thing
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state of being partially erect
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