half mast
Lowered flag position
Half mast describes a flag flown partway down its pole as a sign of mourning or respect for the dead: Flags flew at half mast after the president's death.
The position leaves room above for an invisible flag of death.
On ships, the term is half mast; on land, half staff is technically correct, though half mast dominates casual usage.
- loweringMoving something downward
- flagCloth symbol or signal
- flag codeRules governing banner treatment
- respectRegard with honor
- hoistRaise with tackle
rope · halyard · pole · protocol · grief · moment of silence · mourning · flag etiquette · tribute · distress · solemnity · condolence · honor guard · raising · commemoration · remembrance · presidential proclamation · flag-staff