half facev.
/ˈhɑː(f) feɪs/, U.S. /ˈhæ(f) ˌfeɪs/ Military. Now rare.
intransitive. Chiefly in infantry drill: to turn so as to face halfway to one's right or left, at an angle of 45 degrees from the starting point.
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society > armed hostility > military operations > evolution > [verb (intransitive)] > other evolutions
front1635
ploy1836
pivot1841
about-face1863
1692 J. Darker Breviary Mil. Discipline 16 When the Ranks close or open backwards, the Soldiers must half face to the Right, that they may the better see the Rank behind them.
1763 J. Mac Intire Mil. Treat. Discipline Marine Forces 107 If it is necessary to perform the oblique Firing, the Commanding Officer gives the Word,..that the Platoons may half-face, as soon as they stand up, and be ready to present immediately.
1857 Rep. Secretary of War communicating Rep. Capt. G.B. McClellan in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (Special Sess.: Senate Executive Doc. 1) 91 Instead of resuming the guard, at once half face to the left, and act as prescribed for the left cut against infantry.
1937 Bankers Monthly Aug. 476/1 1 Make sure that the revolver is not loaded. 2 Relax your muscles as you grasp the stock. 3 Half face to the left, standing erect.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2022).
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