half step

noun

1. Music. semitone.
2. Military. a step 15 inches (38 centimeters) long in quick time and 18 inches (46 centimeters) long in double time.

half-step

noun

1. See semitone
   music another word for semitone

Word History and Origins

Origin of half step¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Melodies are often semi-sung chants, or rely heavily on repeated notes and small step and half-step intervals.

From The Daily Beast

The steel robot took a half-step toward him, and Burckhardt involuntarily checked his stride.

From Project Gutenberg

He makes a half-step towards the burly mass of flesh, still shaking with laughter.

From Project Gutenberg

Peter Gross took a half-step forward to restrain her, stopped, and walked slowly back to his chair.

From Project Gutenberg

Forward, half step, halt, and mark time may be executed one from the other in quick or double time.

From Project Gutenberg

If at half step or mark time while obliquing, the oblique march is resumed by the commands: 1.

From Project Gutenberg