half-mast I. \ˈ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\noun : a point some distance but not necessarily halfway down below the top of a mast or staff or the peak of a gaff < a flag flown at half-mast as a token of mourning > II. \ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\adjective : located below the top of the mast < a half-mast position > III. transitive verb Etymology:half-mast (I) : to cause to hang at half-mast < half-mast a flag >