demi-semi, a.
(ˈdɛmɪˈsɛmɪ)
[f. demi- 13 + semi- half: prob. taken from demisemiquaver: see next.]
lit. Half-half, i.e. quarter; but usually a contemptuous diminutive.
| 1805 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. III. 312 The demi-semi statesmen of the present age. 1842 Miall in Nonconf. II. 409 Demi-semi-sacramentarianism. 1874 Helps Soc. Press. vii. (1875) 98 Half men, ‘demi-semi’ men, were..of no use. 1901 Contemp. Rev. Mar. 358 England..no longer..employed the demi-semi-educated to educate the voters. 1906 Daily Chron. 1 May 3/1 Among the demi-semi-educated a laugh can always be raised by sitting down upon a silk hat! 1908 Ibid. 13 May 7/7 In the demi-semi-rural districts on the outskirts of towns. 1929 A. Huxley Holy Face 28 Her sage-green dress was only demi-semi-evening. |