In a way that is only partially wise or incomplete in wisdom; somewhat foolishly or with partial understanding.
Compound of 'half' (Old English 'healf') and 'wise' (Old English 'wīs', meaning 'having knowledge'). The prefix 'half-' adds the sense of partiality or incompleteness.
This word captures a uniquely human experience—making decisions with incomplete information. Medieval writers used 'half-' compounds to describe the messy middle ground between ignorance and wisdom, which is honestly where most of us live.
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