half-affectionate

Milljöh, which renders the French word milieu into the Berlin dialect, became a half-mocking, half-affectionate term used all over Germany to convey the desperate pluckiness of Berlin's sprawling slums.

Rare Works Shown in Rothko Retrospective 2008

Half-distant, half-affectionate, at his entering my chamber, was the air he put on to his daughter-niece, as he used to call me; and

Clarissa Harlowe 2006

It might produce some short, joking, half-affectionate reply, but would not draw from him that serious word which was so necessary for the success of her scheme.

The American Senator 2004

In the South an engaged girl, even a young married woman, expected the same amount of half-affectionate badinage and flattery that would be accorded a débutante, but here all that seemed banned.

Flappers and Philosophers 2003

"You are a good friend," said her father, in a half-teasing, half-affectionate tone.

A True Friend A Novel Adeline Sergeant

'I had prepared myself to wait for hours,' said the voice; and Ralston emerged from a shadowed corner with an outstretched hand -- Ralston, with his big sagacious head, all unexpectedly silver-white, and moustache and beard of snow, but with the same old hand-grip, and the same half-dictatorial, half-affectionate tone.

Despair's Last Journey David Christie Murray

Anstice, on arrival, soon had the small arm set and comfortably bandaged; and once safely in bed, although more upset than she wished anyone to imagine, Cherry regained her usual half-affectionate half-patronizing manner, and insisted upon Anstice sitting down beside her "for at least five minutes, my dear!"

Afterwards Kathlyn Rhodes

The cousins were sitting on an ottoman, in half-teazing, half-affectionate discourse, when Bluebell, feeling like a conspirator of the deepest dye, entered demurely with her pupils.

Bluebell A Novel Mrs. George Croft Huddleston

He looked at me in the half-reproachful half-affectionate manner of the kind old uncle who reasons with a headstrong nephew.

The Little Nugget 1928

In the South an engaged girl, even a young married woman, expected the same amount of half-affectionate badinage and flattery that would be accorded a débutante, but here all that seemed banned.

Flappers and Philosophers 1918