half-title

half-title

A book rests open to its half-title page.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A brief title page: A "half-title" is a page preceding the full title page of a book, containing only the main title (often without the subtitle, author, or publisher). It is typically the first printed page of a book.
    • A short title at the head of a page: In some contexts, "half-title" can refer to a shortened version of the book's title printed at the top of a page, especially in reference works or scholarly texts.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The half-title of the novel simply read "The Great Gatsby," without any additional information. (The preliminary page showed only the main title.)
    • After opening the cover, the reader first encounters the half-title before the full title page. (The initial page with just the title.)
    • In the dictionary, each new section begins with a half-title at the top of the page. (A shortened title at the page header.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to appear on the half-title": to be listed or mentioned on the preliminary title page.

    • The series name appeared on the half-title, but the author's name was reserved for the full title page. (The series information was printed on the half-title page.)

  • "half-title verso": the back side of the half-title page, sometimes containing copyright information or a list of other works by the author.

    • The half-title verso listed the book's edition number. (The reverse side of the half-title page.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Title page (n): the full page at the beginning of a book that includes the title, author, publisher, and often the subtitle.

    • The title page provides all bibliographic details, unlike the simpler half-title. (The full introductory page.)

  • Front matter (n): the material at the beginning of a book, including the half-title, title page, copyright page, and table of contents.

    • The half-title is part of the book's front matter. (The preliminary section of a book.)
Synonyms
  • Preliminary title: a title appearing before the main title page.
  • Short title: a condensed version of the book's title, often used for identification.
Related Idioms
  • No idioms: "Half-title" is a technical term in book publishing and does not commonly appear in idiomatic expressions.