HER, h[.e]r, _pron._ objective and possessive case of _she_.--_adj._ belonging to a female. [M. E. _here_--A.S. _hire_, gen. and dat. sing. of _heo_, she.]
HERACLEAN, HERACLEIAN, her-a-kl[=e]'an, _adj._ pertaining to Hercules.--_adj._ HERACL[=I]'DAN, HERACLEI'DAN, pertaining to the Heracleidae or descendants of Heracles (Hercules), the aristocracy of Sparta.--_n._ HERACLID', one claiming such descent.
HERALD, her'ald, _n._ in ancient times, an officer who made public proclamations and arranged ceremonies: in medieval times, an officer who had charge of all the etiquette of chivalry, keeping a register of the genealogies and armorial bearings of the nobles: an officer whose duty is to read proclamations, to blazon the arms of the nobility, &c.: a proclaimer: a forerunner: the red-breasted merganser, usually HER'ALD-DUCK.--_v.t._ to introduce, as by a herald: to proclaim.--_adj._ HERAL'DIC, of or relating to heralds or heraldry.--_adv._ HERAL'DICALLY.--_ns._ HER'ALDRY, the art or office of a herald: the science of recording genealogies and blazoning coats of arms; HER'ALDSHIP.--HERALDS' COLLEGE (see COLLEGE). [O. Fr. _herault_; of Teut.
origin, Old High Ger. _hari_ (A.S. _here_, Ger. _heer_), an army, and _wald_=_walt_, strength, sway.]
HERB, h[.e]rb, _n._ a plant the stem of which dies every year, as distinguished from a tree or shrub which has a permanent stem.--_adj._ HERB[=A]'CEOUS, pertaining to, or of the nature of, herbs: (_bot._) having a soft stem that dies to the root annually.--_n._ HERBAGE (h[.e]rb'[=a]j, or [.e]rb'[=a]j), green food for cattle: pasture: herbs collectively.--_adjs._ HERB'AGED, covered with grass; HERB'AL, pertaining to herbs.--_n._ a book containing descriptions of plants with medicinal properties, orig. of all plants.--_ns._ HERB'ALIST, one who makes collections of herbs or plants: one skilled in plants; HERB'AR (_Spens._), an herb; HERB[=A]'RIAN, a herbalist; HERB[=A]'RIUM, a classified collection of preserved herbs or plants:--_pl._ HERB[=A]'RIUMS, HERB[=A]'RIA; HERB'ARY, a garden of herbs; HERB'-BENN'ET (see AVENS).--_adjs._ HERBES'CENT, growing into herbs, becoming herbaceous; HERBIF'EROUS, bearing herbs.--_n._ HERB'IST, a herbalist.--_n.pl._ HERBIV'ORA, a name loosely applied to hoofed quadrupeds.--_n.sing._ HERB'IVORE.--_adjs._ HERBIV'OROUS, eating or living on herbaceous plants; HERB'LESS.--_ns._ HERB'LET (_Shak._), a small herb; HERB'-OF-GRACE', or -REPENT'ANCE, the common rue, the vervain; HERBORIS[=A]'TION, the seeking for plants: (_min._) the figure of plants.--_v.i._ HERB'ORISE, to search for plants: to botanise.--V.T. to form plant-like figures in, as in minerals.--_n._ HERB'ORIST, a herbalist.--_adjs._ HERB'OUS, HERB'OSE, abounding with herbs.--_ns._ HERB'-PAR'IS, Paris quadrifolia, related to wake-robin; HERB'-P[=E]'TER, the cowslip or primrose; HERB'-ROB'ERT, a common kind of geranium; HERB'-TRIN'ITY, the pansy.--_adj._ HERB'Y, of or pertaining to herbs. [Fr.
_herbe_--L. _herba_, akin to Gr. _phorb[=e]_, pasture--_pherbein_, to feed.]
HERCULANEAN, her-k[=u]-l[=a]'n[=e]-an, _adj._ of or pertaining to _Herculaneum_, the ancient Roman city buried with Pompeii by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D.
HERCULEAN, h[.e]r-k[=u]'l[=e]-an, _adj._ of or pertaining to _Hercules_: extremely difficult or dangerous, as the twelve labours of the Greek hero Hercules: of extraordinary strength and size.--HERCULES BEETLE, a gigantic Brazilian lamellicorn beetle, 6 in. long, with a long horn on the head of the male and a smaller one on the thorax; HERCULES' CHOICE, toil and duty chosen in preference to ease and pleasure--from a famous story in Xenophon's _Memorabilia_; HERCULES CLUB, a stick of great size and weight; PILLARS OF HERCULES, the name given by the ancients to two rocks flanking the entrance to the Mediterranean at the Strait of Gibraltar.
HERCYNIAN, her-sin'i-an, _adj._ of or pertaining to the forest-covered mountain region of northern Germany--apart the Harz Mountains.
HERD, h[.e]rd, _n._ a number of beasts feeding together, and watched or tended: any collection of beasts, as distinguished from a flock: a company of people, the rabble.--_v.i._ to run in herds.--_v.t._ to tend, as a herdsman.--_ns._ HERD, one who tends a herd; HERD'GROOM (_Spens._), a shepherd-lad; HERDS'-GRASS, timothy-grass; HERDS'MAN, a man employed to herd or tend cattle--(_B._) HERD'MAN. [A.S. _hirde_, _hierde_; Ger.
_heerde_, Sw. _hjord_.]
HERDIC, her'dik, _n._ a low-hung two or four wheeled carriage with back entrance and side seats. [From the inventor, Peter _Herdic_ of Pennsylvania.]
HERE, h[=e]r, _adv._ in this place: in the present life or state.--_advs._ HERE'ABOUT, also -ABOUTS, about this place; HEREAF'TER, after this, in some future time or state.--_n._ a future state.--_advs._ HERE'AT, at or by reason of this; HERE'AWAY (_coll._), hereabout; HEREBY', not far off: by this; HEREIN', in this: in regard to this; HEREINAF'TER, afterward in this (document, &c.):--opp. to HEREINBEFORE'; HEREOF', of this: as a result of this; HEREON', on or upon this; HERETO', till this time: for this object; HERETOFORE', before this time: formerly; HEREUNTO' (also -UN'-), to this point or time; HEREUPON', on this: in consequence of this; HEREWITH', with this.--HERE AND THERE, in this place, and then in that: thinly: irregularly; HERE GOES! an exclamation indicating that the speaker is about to do something; HERE YOU ARE (_coll._), this is what you want; NEITHER HERE NOR THERE, of no special importance. [A.S. _her_, from base of _he_, he; Dut. and Ger. _hier_, Sw. _har_.]
HEREDITY, he-red'i-ti, _n._ the organic relation between generations, esp.
between parents and offspring: the transmission of qualities from the parents or ancestors to their offspring.--_adj._ HERED'ITABLE, that may be inherited.--_ns._ HEREDIT'AMENT, all property of whatever kind that may pass to an heir.--_adv._ HERED'ITARILY.--_n._ HERED'ITARINESS, the quality of being hereditary.--_adj._ HERED'ITARY, descending by inheritance: transmitted from parents to their offspring. [L. _hereditas_, the state of an heir--_heres_, _her[=e]dis_, an heir.]
HERESY, her'e-si, _n._ the adoption and maintaining opinions contrary to the authorised teaching of the religious community to which one naturally belongs: an opinion adopted for one's self in opposition to the usual belief: heterodoxy.--_ns._ HERESIARCH (her'e-si-ark, or he-r[=e]'zi-ark), a leader in heresy, a chief among heretics; HERESIOG'RAPHER, one who writes about heresies; HERESIOG'RAPHY, a treatise on heresies; HERESIOL'OGIST, a student of, or writer on, heresies; HERESIOL'OGY, the study or the history of heresies; HER'ETIC, the upholder of a heresy.--_adj._ HERET'ICAL.--_adv._ HERET'ICALLY.--_v.t._ HERET'ICATE, to denounce as heretical. [O. Fr. _heresie_--L. _haeresis_--Gr. _hairesis_--_hairein_, to take.]
HERIOT, her'i-ot, _n._ (_Eng. law_) a kind of fine due to the lord of a manor on the death of a person holding land of the manor, and consisting of the best beast, jewel, or chattel that belonged to the deceased.--_adj._ HER'IOTABLE. [A.S. _heregeatu_, a military preparation--_here_, an army, _geatwe_, apparatus.]
HERISSON, her'i-son, _n._ a beam turning on a pivot and supplied with sharp spikes, for the defence of a gate, &c.: (_her._) a hedgehog.--_adj._ HeRISSe, bristled. [A doublet of _urchin_.]
HERITABLE, her'i-ta-bl, _adj._ that may be inherited.--_n._ HERITABIL'ITY.--_adv._ HER'ITABLY.--_n._ HER'ITOR, in Scotland, a landholder in a parish.--HERITABLE PROPERTY (_Scots law_), real property, as opposed to movable property or chattels; HERITABLE SECURITY, same as English mortgage. [O. Fr. _heritable_, _hereditable_---Low L.
_hereditabilis_--L. _hereditas_.]
HERITAGE, her'it-[=a]j, _n._ that which is inherited: inherited lot, condition of one's birth: (_B._) the children (of God). [O. Fr. _heritage_, _heriter_--Late L. _heredit[=a]re_, to inherit.]
HERLING, her'ling, _n._ the young of the sea-trout.
HERMae. See HERMES.
HERMANDAD, [.e]r-man-dad', _n._ a confederation of the entire burgher class of Spain for police and judicial purposes, formed in 1282, and formally legalised in 1485. [Sp., 'brotherhood,' _hermano_--L. _germanus_, kindred.]
HERMAPHRODITE, h[.e]r-maf'rod-[=i]t, _n._ an animal or a plant in which the two sexual characteristics are united: an abnormal individual in whom are united the properties of both sexes.--_adj._ uniting the distinctions of both sexes.--_ns._ HERMAPH'RODISM, HERMAPH'RODITISM, the union of the two sexes in one body.--_adjs._ HERMAPHRODIT'IC, -AL, pertaining to a hermaphrodite: partaking of both sexes.--HERMAPHRODITE BRIG, a brig square-rigged forward and schooner-rigged aft. [L.,--Gr.
_Hermaphrod[=i]tos_, the son of _Herm[=e]s_ and _Aphrodit[=e]_, who, when bathing, grew together with the nymph Salmacis into one person.]
HERMENEUTIC, -AL, h[.e]r-me-n[=u]'tik, -al, _adj._ interpreting: explanatory: exigetical.--_adv._ HERMENEU'TICALLY.--_n.sing._ HERMENEU'TICS, the science of interpretation or exegesis, esp. of the Scriptures.--_n._ HERMENEU'TIST, one versed in hermeneutics. [Gr.
_herm[=e]neu'tikos_--_herm[=e]neus_, an interpreter, from _Herm[=e]s_, Mercury, the god of art and eloquence.]
HERMES, h[.e]r'm[=e]z, _n._ the herald and messenger of the gods of Greek mythology, patron of herdsmen, arts, and thieves: a head or bust on a square base, often double-faced:--_pl._ HERMae (her'm[=e]): the Egyptian Thoth, identified with the Greek Hermes.
HERMETIC, -AL, h[.e]r-met'ik, -al, _adj._ belonging in any way to the the beliefs current in the Middle Ages under the name of _Hermes_, the Thrice Great: belonging to magic or alchemy, magical: perfectly close.--_adv._ HERMET'ICALLY.--_n.pl._ HERMET'ICS, the philosophy wrapped up in the Hermetic books, esoteric science: alchemy.--HERMETICALLY SEALED, closed completely, said of a glass vessel, the opening of which is closed by melting the glass. [From _Herm[=e]s Trismegistos_, Hermes 'the thrice-greatest,' the Greek name for the Egyptian god Thoth, who was god of science, esp. alchemy.]
HERMIT, h[.e]r'mit, _n._ one who retires from society and lives in solitude or in the desert for purposes of devotion: one of certain animals of solitary habit.--_ns._ HER'MIT[=A]GE, HER'MITARY, the dwelling of a hermit: a retired abode: a wine produced near Valence, in Drome; HER'MIT-CRAB, the name of a family of crustaceans notable for their habit of sheltering themselves in gasteropod shells.--_adj._ HERMIT'ICAL, relating to a hermit.
[M. E. _eremite_, through Fr. and L. from Gr.
_er[=e]mit[=e]s_--_er[=e]mos_, solitary.]
HERN. Same as HERON.
HERN, a provincial form for _hers_.
HERNIA, h[.e]r'ni-a, _n._ a protrusion, through an abnormal or accidental opening, of the abdominal viscera, the condition popularly called _rupture_.--_adjs._ HER'NIAL; HER'NIATED; HER'NIOID.--_ns._ HERNIOL'OGY, the branch of surgery which treats of ruptures; HERNIOT'OMY, the operation of cutting for hernia. [L.]
HERNSHAW, h[.e]rn'shaw, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as HERONSHAW.
HERO, h[=e]'r[=o], _n._ a man of distinguished bravery: any illustrious person: the principal figure in any history or work of fiction: (_orig._) a demigod:--_fem._ HEROINE (her'[=o]-in).--_adj._ HER[=O]'IC, becoming a hero: courageous: illustrious: daring, rash.--_n._ a heroic verse: (_pl._) extravagant phrases, bombast.--_adj._ HER[=O]'ICAL.--_adv._ HER[=O]'ICALLY--(_Milt._) HER[=O]'ICLY.--_ns._ HER[=O]'ICALNESS, HER[=O]'ICNESS.--_adjs._ HER[=O]'ICOMIC, -AL, consisting of a mixture of heroic and comic: designating the high burlesque.--_ns._ HER'OISM, the qualities of a hero: courage: boldness; H[=E]'ROSHIP, the state of being a hero; H[=E]'RO-WOR'SHIP, the worship of heroes: excessive admiration of great men.--HEROIC AGE, the semi-mythical period of Greek history, when the heroes or demigods were represented to have lived among men; HEROIC MEDICINES, such as either kill or cure; HEROIC SIZE, in sculpture, larger than life, but less than colossal; HEROIC VERSE, the style of verse in which the exploits of heroes are celebrated (in classical poetry, the hexameter; in English and German, the iambic of ten syllables; in French, the alexandrine). [Through O. Fr. and L. from Gr. _h[=e]r[=o]s_; akin to L.
_vir_, A.S. _wer_, a man, Sans. _vira_, a hero.]
HERODIANS, he-r[=o]'di-ans, _n.pl._ a political rather than religious party among the Jews of the apostolic age, adherents of the family of _Herod_.
Herod was represented as a swaggering tyrant in the old dramatic performances--hence 'to out-herod Herod' (_Shak._)--to exceed in bombast and passionate grandiloquence.
HERON, her'un, _n._ a large screaming water-fowl, with long legs and neck.--_n._ HER'ONRY, a place where herons breed. [O. Fr. _hairon_--Old High Ger. _heigir_.]
HERONSHAW, her'un-shaw, _n._ a young heron. [Properly _heronswewe_ (O. Fr.
_herouncel_), which was confounded with the old form _hernshaw_, a heronry, from _heron_, and _shaw_, a wood.]
HERPES, h[.e]r'p[=e]z, _n._ the name of a group of diseases of the skin, characterised by the presence of clusters of vesicles on an inflamed base--_Catarrhal herpes_ and _Herpes zoster_ or _Shingles_.--_adj._ HERPET'IC, relating to or resembling herpes: creeping. [Gr.
_herp[=e]s_--_herpein_, to creep.]
HERPESTES, her-pes'tez, _n._ the typical genus of ichneumons or mongooses of the sub-family _Herpestinae_, viverroid carnivores, having straight toes, claws not retractile. [Gr.]
HERPETOLOGY, her-pet-ol'oj-i, _n._ the branch of natural history which treats of reptiles.--_adjs._ HER'PETOID, serpent-like; HERPETOLOG'IC, -AL, pertaining to herpetology.--_adv._ HERPETOLOG'ICALLY.--_n._ HERPETOL'OGIST, one versed in herpetology.
HERR, her, _n._ lord, master, the German term of address equivalent to Mr.
[Ger.]
HERRING, her'ing, _n._ a common small sea-fish of great commercial value, found moving in great shoals or multitudes.--_adj._ HERR'ING-BONE, like the spine of a herring, applied to a kind of masonry in which the stones slope in different directions in alternate rows.--_ns._ HERR'INGER, one whose employment is to catch herring; HERR'ING-FISH'ERY; HERR'ING-POND, the ocean, esp. the Atlantic or the English Channel.--HERRING-BONE STITCH, a kind of cross-stitch used in embroidery, in mending sails, &c.--KIPPERED HERRING, herring smoked and preserved; RED HERRING, herring cured and dried, and having as the result a red appearance. [A.S. _h['ae]ring_, _hering_; cf. Ger. _haring_, _heer_.]
HERRNHUTER, hern'hut-[.e]r, _n._ one of the Moravians or United Brethren, so called from their settlement in 1722 at _Herrnhut_ in Saxony.
HERRY, a Scotch form of _harry_.--_n._ HERR'YMENT, harassment.
HERS, h[.e]rz, _pron._ possessive of _she_.
HERSAL, h[.e]r'sal, _n._ (_Spens._) rehearsal.
HERSE, h[.e]rs, _n._ (_fort._) a portcullis: a species of cheval-de-frise.--_adj._ HERSED, arranged in harrow form. [_Hearse_.]
HERSELF, h[.e]r-self', _pron._ the emphatic form of _she_ in the nominative or objective case: in her real character: having the command of her facilities, sane.