demi

noun, adj — 6 senses

demi

noun

Etymology From Middle English demi, from Anglo-Norman demi, from Latin dimidius. Literally, “half”.

1

Alternative Alternative spelling of demy.

2

Slang A fifty pence piece.

3

A bottle of wine containing 0.375 liters of fluid, half the volume of a standard bottle; a split.

4

A small glass used chiefly in France (especially for beer) holding 250 milliliters.

  • The place was empty save for a big man who was sitting opposite drinking a demi of dark beer.1928, Jean Rhys, Quartet, Penguin, published 2000, page 34:
  • A croque-monsieur will set you back €6, a steak €12.50, and a demi of Stella €3.2012, Time Out Paris, London: Time Out Guides, →ISBN, page 234:

demi

adj

Etymology Clipping of demisexual.

1

Informal Demisexual.

  • “[...] I totally think she's demi.” “What?” “Demisexual? She only likes fucking people she's in love with, whereas I,” Maddie said, moving closer to Jordan, “like fucking anything and anyone. Everyone has such hang-ups about sex, it's like pathetic, you know? We are just, like, totally animals after all, evolved monkeys. I'm all for giving in to my primal instincts.”2017, Tayari Jones, Atlanta Noir, →ISBN:

demi

noun

Etymology Clipping of demimonde.

1

A member of the demimonde; a woman maintained by a wealthy man.

  • It’s not every one who can distinguish between a demi and a duchess.1923, Agatha Christie, The Murder on the Links:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.