The prefix 'semi-' refers to which quantity?

The prefix 'semi-' originates from Latin and means 'half' or 'partial.' It is commonly used in various terms in English to indicate something that is not complete but rather a part of a whole. For example, 'semicircle' refers to half of a circle, and 'semiconductor' describes a material that partially conducts electricity. This understanding of 'semi-' effectively conveys that it denotes a quantity that is halfway or partially representative of something complete, making 'half' the correct interpretation of this prefix.