Chapter 729

Her"ling , Hir"ling (<?/) , n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo\'94l.) The young of the sea trout. [Prov. Eng.]

Herma <Xpage=688>

Her"ma (?) , n. ; pl. Herm\'91 (#) . [L.] See Hermes , 2.

Hermaphrodeity <Xpage=688>

Her*maph`ro*de"i*ty (?) , n. Hermaphrodism.

B. Jonson.

Hermaphrodism <Xpage=688>

Her*maph"ro*dism (?) , n. [Cf. F. hermaphrodisme .] (Biol.) See Hermaphroditism .

Hermaphrodite <Xpage=688>

Her*maph"ro*dite (?) , n. [L. hermaphroditus , Gr. <?/, so called from the mythical story that Hermaphroditus , son of Hermes and Aphrodite, when bathing, became joined in one body with Salmacis, the nymph of a fountain in Caria: cf. F. hermaphrodite .] (Biol.) An individual which has the attributes of both male and female, or which unites in itself the two sexes; an animal or plant having the parts of generation of both sexes, as when a flower contains both the stamens and pistil within the same calyx, or on the same receptacle. In some cases reproduction may take place without the union of the distinct individuals. In the animal kingdom true hermaphrodites are found only among the invertebrates. See Illust . in Appendix, under Helminths .

Hermaphrodite <Xpage=688>

Her*maph"ro*dite , a. Including, or being of, both sexes; as, an hermaphrodite animal or flower .

Hermaphrodite brig . (Naut.) See under Brig .

Totten.

Hermaphroditic, Hermaphroditical <Xpage=688>

Her*maph`ro*dit"ic (?) , Her*maph`ro*dit"ic*al (?) , a. (Biol.) Partaking of the characteristics of both sexes; characterized by hermaphroditism. -- Her*maph`ro*dit"ic*al*ly , adv.

Hermaphroditism <Xpage=688>

Her*maph"ro*dit*ism (?) , n. (Biol.) The union of the two sexes in the same individual, or the combination of some of their characteristics or organs in one individual.

Hermeneutic, Hermeneutical <Xpage=688>

Her`me*neu"tic (?) , Her`me*neu"tic*al (?) , a. [Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to interpret: cf. F. herm\'82neutique .] Unfolding the signification; of or pertaining to interpretation; exegetical; explanatory; as, hermeneutic theology, or the art of expounding the Scriptures; a hermeneutic phrase.

Hermeneutically <Xpage=688>

Her`me*neu"tic*al*ly , adv. According to the principles of interpretation; as, a verse of Scripture was examined hermeneutically .

Hermeneutics <Xpage=688>

Her`me*neu"tics (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ (sc. <?/).] The science of interpretation and explanation; exegesis; esp., that branch of theology which defines the laws whereby the meaning of the Scriptures is to be ascertained.

Schaff-Herzog Encyc.

Hermes <Xpage=688>

Her"mes (?) , n. [L., fr. Gr. <?/.] 1. (Myth.) See Mercury .

&hand; Hermes Trismegistus [Gr. 'Ermh^s trisme`gistos , lit., Hermes thrice greatest] was a late name of Hermes, especially as identified with the Egyptian god Thoth. He was the fabled inventor of astrology and alchemy.

2. (Arch\'91ology) Originally, a boundary stone dedicated to Hermes as the god of boundaries, and therefore bearing in some cases a head, or head and shoulders, placed upon a quadrangular pillar whose height is that of the body belonging to the head, sometimes having feet or other parts of the body sculptured upon it. These figures, though often representing Hermes, were used for other divinities, and even, in later times, for portraits of human beings. Called also herma . See Terminal statue , under Terminal .

Hermetic, Hermetical <Xpage=688>

Her*met"ic (?) , Her*met"ic*al (?) , a. [F. herm\'82tique . See Note under Hermes , 1.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or taught by, Hermes Trismegistus; as, hermetic philosophy . Hence: Alchemical; chemic. "Delusions of the hermetic art."

Burke.

The alchemists, as the people were called who tried to make gold, considered themselves followers of Hermes, and often called themselves Hermetic philosophers. A. B. Buckley.

2. Of or pertaining to the system which explains the causes of diseases and the operations of medicine on the principles of the hermetic philosophy, and which made much use, as a remedy, of an alkali and an acid; as, hermetic medicine .

3. Made perfectly close or air-tight by fusion, so that no gas or spirit can enter or escape; as, an hermetic seal . See Note under Hermetically .

Hermetic art , alchemy. -- Hermetic books . (a) Books of the Egyptians, which treat of astrology. (b) Books which treat of universal principles, of the nature and orders of celestial beings, of medicine, and other topics.

Hermetically <Xpage=688>

Her*met"ic*al*ly , adv. 1. In an hermetical manner; chemically.

Boyle.

2. By fusion, so as to form an air-tight closure.

&hand; A vessel or tube is hermetically sealed when it is closed completely against the passage of air or other fluid by fusing the extremity; -- sometimes less properly applied to any air-tight closure.

Hermit <Xpage=688>

Her"mit (?) , n. [OE. ermite , eremite , heremit , heremite , F. hermite , ermite , L. eremita , Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ lonely, solitary. Cf. Eremite .] 1. A person who retires from society and lives in solitude; a recluse; an anchoret; especially, one who so lives from religious motives.

He had been Duke of Savoy, and after a very glorious reign, took on him the habit of a hermit , and retired into this solitary spot. Addison.

2. A beadsman; one bound to pray for another. [Obs.] "We rest your hermits ."

Shak.

Hermit crab (Zo\'94l.) , a marine decapod crustacean of the family Pagurid\'91 . The species are numerous, and belong to many genera. Called also soldier crab . The hermit crabs usually occupy the dead shells of various univalve mollusks. See Illust . of Commensal . -- Hermit thrush (Zo\'94l.) , an American thrush ( Turdus Pallasii ), with retiring habits, but having a sweet song. -- Hermit warbler (Zo\'94l.) , a California wood warbler ( Dendroica occidentalis ), having the head yellow, the throat black, and the back gray, with black streaks.

Hermitage <Xpage=688>

Her"mit*age (?; 48) , n. [OE. hermitage , ermitage , F. hermitage , ermitage . See Hermit .] 1. The habitation of a hermit; a secluded residence. <-- (Capitalized) The name given by Catherine II to a part of the Czars' Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, now an art museum with a very large collection of old master paintings -->

Some forlorn and naked hermitage , Remote from all the pleasures of the world. Shak.

2. [F. Vin de l'Hermitage .] A celebrated French wine, both white and red, of the Department of Dr\'93me.

Hermitary <Xpage=688>

Her"mit*a*ry (?) , n. [Cf. LL. hermitorium , eremitorium .] A cell annexed to an abbey, for the use of a hermit.

Howell.

Hermitess <Xpage=688>

Her"mit*ess , n. A female hermit.

Coleridge.

Hermitical <Xpage=688>

Her*mit"i*cal (?) , a. Pertaining to, or suited for, a hermit.

Coventry.

Hermodactyl <Xpage=688>

Her`mo*dac"tyl (?) , n. [NL. hermodactylus , lit., Hermes' finger; fr. Gr. <?/ Hermes + <?/ finger.] (med.) A heart-shaped bulbous root, about the size of a finger, brought from Turkey, formerly used as a cathartic.

Hermogenian <Xpage=688>

Her`mo*ge"ni*an (?) , n. (Eccl. Hist.) A disciple of Hermogenes , and heretical teacher who lived in Africa near the close of the second century. He ha<?/d matter to be the fountain of all evil, and that souls and spirits are formed of corrupt matter.

Hern <Xpage=688>

Hern (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A heron; esp., the common European heron. "A stately hern ."

Trench.

Hernani <Xpage=688>

Her*na"ni (?) , n. A thin silk or woolen goods, for women's dresses, woven in various styles and colors.

Herne <Xpage=688>

Herne (?) , n. [AS. hyrne .] A corner. [Obs.]

Lurking in hernes and in lanes blind. Chaucer.

Hernia <Xpage=688>

Her"ni*a (?) , n. ; pl. E. Hernias (#) , L. Herni\'91 (#) . [L.] (Med.) A protrusion, consisting of an organ or part which has escaped from its natural cavity, and projects through some natural or accidental opening in the walls of the latter; as, hernia of the brain, of the lung, or of the bowels . Hernia of the abdominal viscera in most common. Called also rupture .

Strangulated hernia , a hernia so tightly compressed in some part of the channel through which it has been protruded as to arrest its circulation, and produce swelling of the protruded part. It may occur in recent or chronic hernia, but is more common in the latter.

Hernial <Xpage=688>

Her"ni*al (?) , a. Of, or connected with, hernia.

Herniotomy <Xpage=688>

Her`ni*ot"o*my (?) , n. [ Hernia + Gr. <?/ to cut.] (Med.) A cutting for the cure or relief of hernia; celotomy.

Hernshaw <Xpage=688>

Hern"shaw (?) , n. Heronshaw. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Hero <Xpage=688>

He"ro (?) , n. ; pl. Heroes (#) . [F. h\'82ros , L. heros , Gr. <?/.] 1. (Myth.) An illustrious man, supposed to be exalted, after death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules.

2. A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person.

Each man is a hero and oracle to somebody. Emerson.

3. The principal personage in a poem, story, and the like, or the person who has the principal share in the transactions related; as Achilles in the Iliad, Ulysses in the Odyssey, and \'92neas in the \'92neid.

The shining quality of an epic hero . Dryden.

Hero worship , extravagant admiration for great men, likened to the ancient worship of heroes.

Hero worship exists, has existed, and will forever exist, universally among mankind. Carlyle.

Herodian <Xpage=688>

He*ro"di*an (?) , n. (Jewish Hist.) One of a party among the Jews, composed of partisans of Herod of Galilee. They joined with the Pharisees against Christ.

Herodiones <Xpage=688>

He*ro`di*o"nes (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ a heron.] (Zo\'94l.) A division of wading birds, including the herons, storks, and allied forms. Called also Herodii . -- He*ro`di*o"nine (#) , a.

Heroess <Xpage=688>

He"ro*ess (?) , n. A heroine. [Obs.]

Dryden.

Heroic <Xpage=688>

He*ro"ic (?) , a. [F. h\'82ro\'8bque , L. hero\'8bcus , Gr. <?/.] 1. Of or pertaining to, or like, a hero; of the nature of heroes; distinguished by the existence of heroes; as, the heroic age; an heroic people; heroic valor.

2. Worthy of a hero; bold; daring; brave; illustrious; as, heroic action; heroic enterprises.

3. (Sculpture & Painting) Larger than life size, but smaller than colossal; -- said of the representation of a human figure.

Heroic Age , the age when the heroes, or those called the children of the gods, are supposed to have lived. -- Heroic poetry , that which celebrates the deeds of a hero; epic poetry. -- Heroic treatment &or; remedies (Med.) , treatment or remedies of a severe character, suited to a desperate case. -- Heroic verse (Pros.) , the verse of heroic or epic poetry, being in English, German, and Italian the iambic of ten syllables; in French the iambic of twelve syllables; and in classic poetry the hexameter.

Syn. -- Brave; intrepid; courageous; daring; valiant; bold; gallant; fearless; enterprising; noble; magnanimous; illustrious.

Heroical <Xpage=688>

He*ro"ic*al (?) , a. Heroic. [R.] Spectator . -- He*ro"ic*al*ly , adv. -- He*ro"ic*al*ness , n.

<page="689"> Page 689

Heroicness <Xpage=689>

He*ro"ic*ness (?) , n. Heroism. [R.]

W. Montagu.

Heroicomic, Heroicomical <Xpage=689>

He`ro*i*com"ic (?) , He`ro*i*com"ic*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. h\'82ro\'8bcomigue . See Heroic , and Comic .] Combining the heroic and the ludicrous; denoting high burlesque; as, a heroicomic poem .

Heroine <Xpage=689>

Her"o*ine (?) , n. [F. h\'82ro\'8bne , L. heroina , Gr. <?/, fem. of <?/. See Hero .] 1. A woman of an heroic spirit.

The heroine assumed the woman's place. Dryden.

2. The principal female person who figures in a remarkable action, or as the subject of a poem or story.

Heroism <Xpage=689>

Her"o*ism (?; 277) , n. [F. h\'82ro\'8bsme .] The qualities characteristic of a hero, as courage, bravery, fortitude, unselfishness, etc.; the display of such qualities.

Heroism is the self-devotion of genius manifesting itself in action. Hare.

Syn. -- Heroism , Courage , Fortitude , Bravery , Valor , Intrepidity , Gallantry . Courage is generic, denoting fearlessness or defiance of danger; fortitude is passive courage, the habit of bearing up nobly under trials, danger, and sufferings; bravery is courage displayed in daring acts; valor is courage in battle or other conflicts with living opponents; intrepidity is firm courage, which shrinks not amid the most appalling dangers; gallantry is adventurous courage, dashing into the thickest of the fight. Heroism may call into exercise all these modifications of courage. It is a contempt of danger, not from ignorance or inconsiderate levity, but from a noble devotion to some great cause, and a just confidence of being able to meet danger in the spirit of such a cause. Cf. Courage .

Heron <Xpage=689>

Her"on (?) , n. [OE. heiroun , heroun , heron , hern , OF. hairon , F. h\'82ron , OHG. heigir ; cf. Icel. hegri , Dan. heire , Sw. h\'84ger , and also G. h\'84her jay, jackdaw, OHG. hehara , higere , woodpecker, magpie, D. reiger heron, G. reiher , AS. hr&amac;gra . Cf. Aigret , Egret .] (Zo\'94l.) Any wading bird of the genus Ardea and allied genera, of the family Ardeid\'91 . The herons have a long, sharp bill, and long legs and toes, with the claw of the middle toe toothed. The common European heron ( Ardea cinerea ) is remarkable for its directly ascending flight, and was formerly hunted with the larger falcons.

&hand; There are several common American species; as, the great blue heron ( Ardea herodias ); the little blue ( A. c\'d2rulea ); the green ( A. virescens ); the snowy ( A. candidissima ); the night heron or qua-bird ( Nycticorax nycticorax ). The plumed herons are called egrets .

Heron's bill (Bot.) , a plant of the genus Erodium ; -- so called from the fancied resemblance of the fruit to the head and beak of the heron.

Heroner <Xpage=689>

Her"on*er (?) , n. A hawk used in hunting the heron. " Heroner and falcon."

Chaucer.

Heronry <Xpage=689>

Her"on*ry (?) , n. A place where herons breed.

Heronsew <Xpage=689>

Her"on*sew (?) , n. A heronshaw. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Heronshaw <Xpage=689>

Her"on*shaw (?) , n. [OF. heroncel , dim. of h\'82ron . See Heron .] (Zo\'94l.) A heron. [Written variously hernshaw , harnsey , etc.]

Hero\'94logist <Xpage=689>

He`ro*\'94l"o*gist (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ + <?/ discourse.] One who treats of heroes. [R.]

T. Warton.

Heroship <Xpage=689>

He"ro*ship (?) , n. The character or personality of a hero. "Three years of heroship ."

Cowper.

Herpes <Xpage=689>

Her"pes (?) , n. [L., fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to creep.] (Med.) An eruption of the skin, taking various names, according to its form, or the part affected; especially, an eruption of vesicles in small distinct clusters, accompanied with itching or tingling, including shingles, ringworm, and the like; -- so called from its tendency to creep or spread from one part of the skin to another.

Herpetic <Xpage=689>

Her*pet"ic (?) , a. [Cf. F. herp\'82tique .] Pertaining to, or resembling, the herpes; partaking of the nature of herpes; as, herpetic eruptions .

Herpetism <Xpage=689>

Her"pe*tism (?) , n. [See Herpes .] (Med.) See Dartrous diathesis , under Dartrous .

Herpetologic, Herpetological <Xpage=689>

Her*pet`o*log"ic (?) , Her*pet`o*log"ic*al (?) , a. Pertaining to herpetology.

Herpetologist <Xpage=689>

Her`pe*tol"o*gist (?) , n. One versed in herpetology, or the natural history of reptiles.

Herpetology <Xpage=689>

Her`pe*tol"o*gy (?) , n. [Written also, but less properly, erpetology .] [Gr. <?/ a creeping thing, reptile (fr. <?/ to creep) + -logy : cf. F. herp\'82tologie .] The natural history of reptiles; that branch of zo\'94logy which relates to reptiles, including their structure, classification, and habits.

Herpetotomist <Xpage=689>

Her`pe*tot"o*mist (?) , n. One who dissects, or studies the anatomy of, reptiles.

Herpetotomy <Xpage=689>

Her`pe*tot"o*my (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ a reptile + <?/ to cut.] The anatomy or dissection of reptiles.

Herr <Xpage=689>

Herr (?) , n. A title of respect given to gentlemen in Germany, equivalent to the English Mister .

Herring <Xpage=689>

Her"ring (?) , n. [OE. hering , AS. h\'91ring ; akin to D. haring , G. h\'84ring , hering , OHG. haring , hering , and prob. to AS. here army, and so called because they commonly move in large numbers. Cf. Harry .] (Zo\'94l.) One of various species of fishes of the genus Clupea , and allied genera, esp. the common round or English herring ( C. harengus ) of the North Atlantic. Herrings move in vast schools, coming in spring to the shores of Europe and America, where they are salted and smoked in great quantities.

Herring gull (Zo\'94l.) , a large gull which feeds in part upon herrings; esp., Larus argentatus in America, and L. cachinnans in England. See Gull . -- Herring hog (Zo\'94l.) , the common porpoise. -- King of the herrings . (Zo\'94l.) (a) The chim\'91ra ( C. monstrosa ) which follows the schools of herring. See Chim\'91ra . (b) The opah.

Heringbone <Xpage=689>

He"ring*bone" (?) , a. Pertaining to, or like, the spine of a herring; especially, characterized by an arrangement of work in rows of parallel lines, which in the alternate rows slope in different directions.

Herringbone stitch , a kind of cross-stitch in needlework, chiefly used in flannel.

Simmonds.