half-pace
[In 1, app. a corruption of earlier haultpace, haltpace, halpace, q.v. In 2, app. f. half + pace, but prob. an extension of sense 1.]
1. A step, raised floor, or platform, on which something (e.g. a throne, dais, etc.) is to be placed or erected. b. The platform at the top of steps, on which an altar stands. = foot-pace 2 b.
| 1569 in Etoniana (1865) 220, ij half-paces in the hawle for the Bybelers to stand upon. 1593–4 Bursar's Roll, Peterhouse, Camb., Efficienti le halfe pace bibliothecæ. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII, Mor. & Hist. Wks. (Bohn) 381 The cardinal, standing upon the uppermost step, or half-pace, before the choir. a 1734 North Lives II. 433 Raised with a half-pace, almost a foot higher than the rest of the room. 1894 Westm. Gaz. 10 July 1/2 On the half-pace below the reredos. |
2. A broad step or small landing between two half flights in a staircase; = foot-pace 2 d.
| 1611 Cotgr., Aire, the halfe-pace, or landing place of a half-pace staire. 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 267 You ascend from one half pace to another, by ascents of 7 steps. 1712 J. James tr. Le Blond's Gardening 125 A Half Pace, or Rest of two Paces broad. 1842–76 Gwilt Archit. Gloss., Foot pace or half pace, that part of a staircase whereon, after the flight of a few steps, a broad place is arrived at, on which two or three paces may be taken before coming to another step. |
Hence ˈhalf-paced a., having a half-pace.
| 1603 P. Stringer Recept. Q. Eliz. at Oxf. in Plummer Eliz. Oxf. (O.H.S.) 255 An easie half paced stayre, which was of good bredth. 1681 W. Robertson Phraseol. Gen. (1693) 1170 The broad step of a halfpaced staire. |