moiety
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Related to moieties: phratries
moi·e·ty
(moi′ĭ-tē)n. pl. moi·e·ties
1. A half.
2. A part, portion, or share.
3. Anthropology Either of two kinship groups based on unilateral descent that together make up a tribe or society.
4. Chemistry A well-defined part of a larger molecule.
[Middle English moite, from Old French meitiet, moitie, from Late Latin medietās, from Latin, middle, from medius, middle; see medhyo- in Indo-European roots.]
moiety
(ˈmɔɪɪtɪ)n, pl -ties
1. a half
2. one of two parts or divisions of something
[C15: from Old French moitié, from Latin mediētās middle, from medius]
moi•e•ty
(ˈmɔɪ ɪ ti)n., pl. -ties.
1. a half.
2. an indefinite portion, part, or share.
3. (in certain unilateral societies or communities) one of the two descent groups into which the population falls.
[1400–50; late Middle English moite < Middle French < Latin medietātem, acc. of medietās the middle]
Moiety
a half; the better half; a small part; a lease; a share, portion, or quantity.Examples: the moiety of the human species; of a scruple, 1641.
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Noun | 1. | ![]() |
2. | moiety - one of two basic subdivisions of a tribe social group - people sharing some social relation |