Hemi comes from the Greek word hēmi, meaning “half.” It is commonly used as a prefix in science, anatomy, and engineering to indicate something that is divided into two parts or represents one half of a whole. For example, the Earth is divided into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. In medicine, hemiplegia refers to paralysis affecting one side of the body. In automotive terms, a Hemi engine has hemispherical combustion chambers designed for better airflow and efficiency. Overall, the term “hemi” appears in many fields, always relating to the idea of half, partial, or divided structure or function.
