1. half one's regular pay.
2. a reduced amount paid to a British army or navy officer when not in actual service or after retirement.
[1655-65]
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half pay noun
Reduced pay, as for an officer not on active service
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Main Entry: ↑half
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half pay,
1. half the usual or full wages or salary.
2. a payment made to a retired or inactive officer of the army or navy that is a prescribed percentage of his active pay.
–half´-pay´, adjective.
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n. half of a person's normal or previous salary or wages
a sabbatical year during which he would receive half pay from Fordham University
Useful english dictionary. 2012.