half-mast

• half mast

half-mast (uncountable)

1. The lowered position, half the height of a mast, at which a flag is flown when mourning, especially expressing respect for the dead.
   • 2016 October 13, Department for Culture, Media & Sport and Foreign & Commonwealth Office, "Flag-flying from UK government buildings for the death of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand", GOV.UK, Government Digital Service:

     Any other UK national flags flown alongside the Union Flag when it is at half-mast should also be at half-mast.

2. (by extension) The lowered position of any thing.
3. (euphemistic, of a man) The state of being partially erect
   • 2009, Stephen Cannell, At First Sight: A Novel of Obsession, Vanguard Press →ISBN, page 227

     Finally, he was at half-mast, hanging out over the toilet seat, barely erect.

• (flag) half-staff
• (erection) semi