Definition of "half-mourning" [half-mourning]

• A mourning-costumeless somberthan full ordeep mourning. (noun)
• A butterfly, Papilio galatea, having yellowish wings spotted with black and white. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "It also became the Victorian colour for half-mourning."
• "The costumes were stunning, particularly a lavendar and black dress that Victoria wore when she was in half-mourning."
• "Deep mourning, for example, for a widow might be two years, followed by a period of half-mourning."