half-light

American  

[haf-lahyt, hahf-] / ˈhæfˌlaɪt, ˈhɑf- /

noun

1. light that is about half its customary brightness, or that is partially dimmed or obscured.

   the half-light of early dawn; a room in half-light.

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half-light British  

noun

1. a dim light, as at dawn or dusk

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Etymology

Origin of half-light

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

It was impossible to tell what was happening just offshore in the half-light.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2024

Somaliland’s half-light existence as an unrecognized state has complicated its pandemic response.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 28, 2022

The time period is that mystical half-light of history when Scandinavia was little more than scattered Norse villages; when wisdom was woven with superstition much as the land is interlaced with fjords.

From New York Times • Jan. 7, 2022

Cody stayed behind, but she and Michael kicked out in the frigid water, and in the half-light, Renee could see the shore around her wreathed in smoke, and orange flashes of flame.

From The Guardian • May 5, 2020

Sarai lingered in the half-light of the gallery, listening to the rhythms of Sparrow and Ruby arguing.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• dusk
• sunset