Moiety / noun / moy-uh-tee

A moiety is a part, piece, or portion of a whole. In one definition of the word, a moiety is an exact or almost exact half of a whole, however, the word is equally used as a word for a portion more or less than half. In the English language, the word moiety is most commonly used in chemistry, as it is the word for a part or a portion of a molecule.

 1. each of two parts into which a thing is or can be divided.

2. each of two social or ritual groups into which a people are divided

3. a part or portion, especially a lesser share

Etymology

This is a late Middle English term, derived from the Old French word moite, the Latin term medietas which means ‘middle’, and medius which means ‘mid, middle’.

In a Sentence

1. Some people recommend taking a moiety of a dosage of medicine if they are unsure of the effects.
2. In a tribe, people may branch off and create a moiety for particular events or rituals.

Synonyms

part, portion

Antonyms

whole, complete