Crossword Genius

When semi-conscious, Hal faded away (4-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

half-dead

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'when semi-conscious' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'hal faded away' is the wordplay.
'away' is an anagram indicator (letters move away from their original places).
'faded' anagrammed gives 'fdead'.
'hal'+'fdead'='HALF-DEAD'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for half-dead that I've seen is " Exhausted (informal)".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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