half-mast
- n a position some distance below the top of a mast to which a flag is lowered in mourning or to signal distress
- The public's reaction to such gaffes as the family's retreating behind the doors of Balmoral and the Queen's refusal to break with protocol and fly a flag at half-mastor at all .
- In every ball park, flags drooped at half-mast.
- Flags in Atlanta began flying at half-mast shortly after the news was circulated of her passing.