Chapter 83

Still expanding and ascending gyres.

Mrs. Browning.

Gyre, v. t. & i. [Cf. OF. gyrer, girer. See Gyrate.] To turn round; to gyrate. [Obs.] Bp. Hall. Drayton.

Gyre"ful (-fl), a. Abounding in gyres. [Obs.]

||Gyr`en*ceph"a*la (jr`n*sf"*l), n. pl. [NL. fr. Gr. gyro`s round + ||'egke`falos the brain.] (Zoˆl.) The higher orders of Mammalia, in ||which the cerebrum is convoluted. -- Gyr`en*ceph"a*lous (-ls), a.

Gyr"fal`con (jr"f`k'n), n. [OE. gerfaucon, OF. gerfaucon, LL. gyrofalco, perh. fr. L. gyrus circle + falco falcon, and named from its circling flight; or cf. E. gier-eagle. See Gyre, n., Falcon.] (Zoˆl.) One of several species and varieties of large Arctic falcons, esp. Falco rusticolus and the white species F. Islandicus, both of which are circumpolar. The black and the gray are varieties of the former. See Illust. of Accipiter. [Written also gerfalcon, gierfalcon, and jerfalcon.]

||Gy"ri (j"r), n. pl. See Gyrus.

Gyr"land (gr"land), v. t. [See Garland.] To garland. [Obs.]

Their hair loose and flowing, gyrlanded with sea grass.

B. Jonson.

||Gyr"o*dus (jr"*ds), n. [NL., fr. Gr. gyro`s round + 'odoy`s tooth.] ||(Paleon.) A genus of extinct oˆlitic fishes, having rounded teeth in ||several rows adapted for crushing.

Gy*rog"o*nite (j*rg"*nt), n. [Gr. gy^ros circle, ring + go`nos fruit.] (Paleon.) The petrified fruit of the Chara hispida, a species of stonewort. See Stonewort. Lyell.

Gy*roid"al (j*roid"al), a. [Gr. gy^ros circle + -oid + -al.] 1. Spiral in arrangement or action.

2. (Crystallog.) Having the planes arranged spirally, so that they incline all to the right (or left) of a vertical line; -- said of certain hemihedral forms.

3. (Opt.) Turning the plane of polarization circularly or spirally to the right or left.

||Gy*rol"e*pis (j*rl"*ps), n. [NL., fr. Gr. gyro`s round + lepi`s ||scale.] (Paleon.) A genus of ganoid fishes, found in strata of the ||new red sandstone, and the lias bone beds. Agassiz.

||Gy*ro"ma (j*r"m), n. [NL., fr. Gr. gyroy^n to round, bend, fr. gyro`s ||round.] A turning round. [R.]

Gyr"o*man`cy (jr"*mn`s or j"r-), n. [Gr. gy^ros ring, circle + -mancy: cf. F. gyromancie.] A kind of divination performed by drawing a ring or circle, and walking in or around it. Brande & C.

Gy"ron (j"rn), n. [F. giron; of German origin. See Gore a piece of cloth.] (Her.) A subordinary of triangular form having one of its angles at the fess point and the opposite side at the edge of the escutcheon. When there is only one gyron on the shield it is bounded by two lines drawn from the fess point, one horizontally to the dexter side, and one to the dexter chief corner.

Gy"ron*ny (j"rn*n), a. [F. gironnÈ.] (Her.) Covered with gyrons, or divided so as to form several gyrons; -- said of an escutcheon.

Gy"ro-pi`geon (j"r*pj`n), n. [L. gyrare to revolve + E. pigeon.] A flying object simulating a pigeon in flight, when projected from a spring trap. It is used as a flying target in shooting matches. Knight.

Gy"ro*scope (j"r*skp), n. [Gr. gy^ros ring, circle + - scope.] 1. A rotating wheel, mounted in a ring or rings, for illustrating the dynamics of rotating bodies, the composition of rotations, etc. It was devised by Professor W. R. Johnson, in 1832, by whom it was called the rotascope.

2. A form of the above apparatus, invented by M. Foucault, mounted so delicately as to render visible the rotation of the earth, through the tendency of the rotating wheel to preserve a constant plane of rotation, independently of the earth's motion.

Gy`ro*scop"ic (-skp"k), a. Pertaining to the gyroscope; resembling the motion of the gyroscope.

Gy*rose" (j*rs" or j"rs), a. [See Gyre.] (Bot.) Turned round like a crook, or bent to and fro. Loudon.

Gy"ro*stat (j"r*stt), n. [Gr. gy^ros ring, circle + "ista`nai to cause to stand.] (Physics) A modification of the gyroscope, consisting essentially of a fly wheel fixed inside a rigid case to which is attached a thin flange of metal for supporting the instrument. It is used in studying the dynamics of rotating bodies.

Gy`ro*stat"ic (-stt"k), a. (Physics) Of or pertaining to the gyrostat or to gyrostatics.

Gy`ro*stat"ics (-ks), n. (Physics) The doctrine or theory of the gyrostat, or of the phenomena of rotating bodies.

||Gy"rus (j"rs), n.; pl. Gyri (-r). [L. See Gyre, n.] A convoluted ||ridge between grooves; a convolution; as, the gyri of the brain; the ||gyri of brain coral. See Brain.

Gyse (gz), n. Guise. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Gyte (gt), a. Delirious; senselessly extravagant; as, the man is clean gyte. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

Gyve (jv), n. [Of Celtic origin; cf. W. gefyn, Ir. geibhionn, Gael. geimheal.] A shackle; especially, one to confine the legs; a fetter. [Written also give.]

Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves.

Shak.

With gyves upon his wrist.

Hood.

Gyve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gyved (jvd); p. pr. & vb. n. Gyving.] To fetter; to shackle; to chain. Spenser.

I will gyve thee in thine own courtship.

Shak.

H.

H (ch), the eighth letter of the English alphabet, is classed among the consonants, and is formed with the mouth organs in the same position as that of the succeeding vowel. It is used with certain consonants to form digraphs representing sounds which are not found in the alphabet, as sh, th, , as in shall, thing, ine (for zh see ß274); also, to modify the sounds of some other letters, as when placed after c and p, with the former of which it represents a compound sound like that of tsh, as in charm (written also tch as in catch), with the latter, the sound of f, as in phase, phantom. In some words, mostly derived or introduced from foreign languages, h following c and g indicates that those consonants have the hard sound before e, i, and y, as in chemistry, chiromancy, chyle, Ghent, Ghibelline, etc.; in some others, ch has the sound of sh, as in chicane. See Guide to Pronunciation, ßß 153, 179, 181-3, 237-8.

The name (aitch) is from the French ache; its form is from the Latin, and this from the Greek H, which was used as the sign of the spiritus asper (rough breathing) before it came to represent the long vowel, Gr. η. The Greek H is from Phúnician, the ultimate origin probably being Egyptian. Etymologically H is most closely related to c; as in E. horn, L. cornu, Gr. ke`ras; E. hele, v. t., conceal; E. hide, L. cutis, Gr. ky`tos; E. hundred, L. centum, Gr. "e- kat-on, Skr. ata.

H piece (Mining), the part of a plunger pump which contains the valve.

H (h‰). (Mus.) The seventh degree in the diatonic scale, being used by the Germans for B natural. See B.

Ha (h‰), interj. [AS.] An exclamation denoting surprise, joy, or grief. Both as uttered and as written, it expresses a great variety of emotions, determined by the tone or the context. When repeated, ha, ha, it is an expression of laughter, satisfaction, or triumph, sometimes of derisive laughter; or sometimes it is equivalent to "Well, it is so."

Ha-has, and inarticulate hootings of satirical rebuke.

Carlyle.

Haaf (h‰f), n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. & Sw. haf the sea, Dan. hav, perh. akin to E. haven.] The deepsea fishing for cod, ling, and tusk, off the Shetland Isles.

Haak (hk), n. (Zoˆl.) A sea fish. See Hake. Ash.

Haar (h‰r), n. [See Hoar.] A fog; esp., a fog or mist with a chill wind. [Scot.] T. Chalmers.

||Ha"be*as cor"pus (h"b*s kÙr"ps). [L. you may have the body.] (Law) A ||writ having for its object to bring a party before a court or judge; ||especially, one to inquire into the cause of a person's imprisonment ||or detention by another, with the view to protect the right to ||personal liberty; also, one to bring a prisoner into court to testify ||in a pending trial. Bouvier.

||Ha*ben"dum (h*bn"dm), n. [L., that must be had.] (Law) That part of a ||deed which follows the part called the premises, and determines the ||extent of the interest or estate granted; -- so called because it ||begins with the word Habendum. Kent.

Hab"er*dash (hb"r*dsh), v. i. [See Haberdasher.] To deal in small wares. [R.]

To haberdash in earth's base ware.

Quarles.

Hab"er*dash`er (-dsh`r), n. [Prob. fr. Icel. hapurtask trumpery, trifles, perh. through French. It is possibly akin to E. haversack, and to Icel. taska trunk, chest, pocket, G. tasche pocket, and the orig. sense was perh., peddler's wares.] 1. A dealer in small wares, as tapes, pins, needles, and thread; also, a hatter. [Obs.]

The haberdasher heapeth wealth by hats.

Gascoigne.

2. A dealer in drapery goods of various descriptions, as laces, silks, trimmings, etc.

Hab"er*dash`er*y (-), n. The goods and wares sold by a haberdasher; also (Fig.), trifles. Burke.

Hab`er*dine" (hb`r*dn" or h"br*dn), n. [D. abberdaan, labberdaan; or a French form, cf. OF. habordeau, from the name of a Basque district, cf. F. Labourd, adj. Labourdin. The l was misunderstood as the French article.] A cod salted and dried. Ainsworth.

Ha*ber"ge*on (h*br"j*n or hb"r*jn), n. [F. haubergeon a small hauberk, dim. of OF. hauberc, F. haubert. See Hauberk.] Properly, a short hauberk, but often used loosely for the hauberk. Chaucer.

Hab"i*la*to*ry (hb"*l*t*r), a. Of or pertaining to clothing; wearing clothes. Ld. Lytton.

Hab"ile (hb"l), a. [F. habile, L. habilis. See Able, Habit.] Fit; qualified; also, apt. [Obs.] Spenser.

Ha*bil"i*ment (h*bl"*ment), n. [F. habillement, fr. habiller to dress, clothe, orig., to make fit, make ready, fr. habile apt, skillful, L. habilis. See Habile.] 1. A garment; an article of clothing. Camden.

2. pl. Dress, in general. Shak.

Ha*bil"i*ment*ed, a. Clothed. Taylor (1630).

Ha*bil"i*tate (-tt), a. [LL. habilitatus, p. p. of habilitare to enable.] Qualified or entitled. [Obs.] Bacon.

Ha*bil"i*tate (-tt), v. t. To fit out; to equip; to qualify; to entitle. Johnson.

Ha*bil`i*ta"tion (-t"shn), n. [LL. habilitatio: cf. F. habilitation.] Equipment; qualification. [Obs.] Bacon.

Ha*bil"i*ty (h*bl"*t), n. [See Ability.] Ability; aptitude. [Obs.] Robynson (More's Utopia).

Hab"it (hb"t) n. [OE. habit, abit, F. habit fr. L. habitus state, appearance, dress, fr. habere to have, be in a condition; prob. akin to E. have. See Have, and cf. Able, Binnacle, Debt, Due, Exhibit, Malady.] 1. The usual condition or state of a person or thing, either natural or acquired, regarded as something had, possessed, and firmly retained; as, a religious habit; his habit is morose; elms have a spreading habit; esp., physical temperament or constitution; as, a full habit of body.

2. (Biol.) The general appearance and manner of life of a living organism.

3. Fixed or established custom; ordinary course of conduct; practice; usage; hence, prominently, the involuntary tendency or aptitude to perform certain actions which is acquired by their frequent repetition; as, habit is second nature; also, peculiar ways of acting; characteristic forms of behavior.

A man of very shy, retired habits.

W. Irving.

4. Outward appearance; attire; dress; hence, a garment; esp., a closely fitting garment or dress worn by ladies; as, a riding habit.

Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy.

Shak.

There are, among the statues, several of Venus, in different habits.

Addison.

Syn. -- Practice; mode; manner; way; custom; fashion. -- Habit, Custom. Habit is a disposition or tendency leading us to do easily, naturally, and with growing certainty, what we do often; custom is external, being habitual use or the frequent repetition of the same act. The two operate reciprocally on each other. The custom of giving produces a habit of liberality; habits of devotion promote the custom of going to church. Custom also supposes an act of the will, selecting given modes of procedure; habit is a law of our being, a kind of "second nature" which grows up within us.

How use doth breed a habit in a man !

Shak.

He who reigns . . . upheld by old repute, Consent, or custom.

Milton.

Hab"it (hb"t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Habited; p. pr. & vb. n. Habiting.] [OE. habiten to dwell, F. habiter, fr. L. habitare to have frequently, to dwell, intens. fr. habere to have. See Habit, n.] 1. To inhabit. [Obs.]

In thilke places as they [birds] habiten.

Rom. of R.

2. To dress; to clothe; to array.

They habited themselves like those rural deities.

Dryden.

3. To accustom; to habituate. [Obs.] Chapman.

Hab`it*a*bil"i*ty (- *bl"*t), n. Habitableness.

Hab"it*a*ble (hb"t**b'l), a. [F. habitable, L. habitabilis.] Capable of being inhabited; that may be inhabited or dwelt in; as, the habitable world. -- Hab"it*a*ble*ness, n. -- Hab"it*a*bly, adv.

<! p. 662 pr=JMD !>

Hab"it*a*cle (hb"t**k'l), n. [F. habitacle dwelling place, binnacle, L. habitaculum dwelling place. See Binnacle, Habit, v.] A dwelling place. Chaucer. Southey.

Ha`bi`tan" (`b`t‰"), n. Same as Habitant, 2.

General Arnold met an emissary . . . sent . . . to ascertain the feelings of the habitans or French yeomanry.

W. Irwing.

Hab"it*ance (hb"t*ans), n. [OF. habitance, LL. habitantia.] Dwelling; abode; residence. [Obs.] Spenser.

Hab"it*an*cy (-an*s), n. Same as Inhabitancy.

Hab"it*ant (-ant), n. [F. habitant. See Habit, v. t.]

1. An inhabitant; a dweller. Milton. Pope.

2. [F. pron. `b`t‰"] An inhabitant or resident; -- a name applied to and denoting farmers of French descent or origin in Canada, especially in the Province of Quebec; -- usually in the plural.

The habitants or cultivators of the soil.

Parkman.

Hab"i*tat (hb"*tt), n. [L., it dwells, fr. habitare. See Habit, v. t.] 1. (Biol.) The natural abode, locality or region of an animal or plant.

2. Place where anything is commonly found.

This word has its habitat in Oxfordshire.

Earle.

Hab`i*ta"tion (-t"shn), n. [F. habitation, L. habitatio.] 1. The act of inhabiting; state of inhabiting or dwelling, or of being inhabited; occupancy. Denham.

2. Place of abode; settled dwelling; residence; house.

The Lord . . . blesseth the habitation of the just.

Prov. iii. 33.

Hab"i*ta`tor (hb"*t`tr), n. [L.] A dweller; an inhabitant. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Hab"it*ed (-t*d), p. p. & a. 1. Clothed; arrayed; dressed; as, he was habited like a shepherd.

2. Fixed by habit; accustomed. [Obs.]

So habited he was in sobriety.

Fuller.

3. Inhabited. [Archaic]

Another world, which is habited by the ghosts of men and women.

Addison.

Ha*bit"u*al (h*bt"*al; 135), a. [Cf. F. habituel, LL. habitualis. See Habit, n.] 1. Formed or acquired by habit or use.

An habitual knowledge of certain rules and maxims.

South.

2. According to habit; established by habit; customary; constant; as, the habitual practice of sin.

It is the distinguishing mark of habitual piety to be grateful for the most common and ordinary blessings.

Buckminster.

Syn. -- Customary; accustomed; usual; common; wonted; ordinary; regular; familiar.

-- Ha*bit"u*al*ly, adv. -- Ha*bit"u*al*ness, n.

Ha*bit"u*ate (-t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Habituated (- `td); p. pr. & vb. n. Habituating (-`tng).] [L. habituatus, p. p. of habituare to bring into a condition or habit of body: cf. F. habituer. See Habit.] 1. To make accustomed; to accustom; to familiarize.

Our English dogs, who were habituated to a colder clime.

Sir K. Digby.

Men are first corrupted . . . and next they habituate themselves to their vicious practices.

Tillotson.

2. To settle as an inhabitant. [Obs.] Sir W. Temple.

Ha*bit"u*ate (-t), a. Firmly established by custom; formed by habit; habitual. [R.] Hammond.

Ha*bit`u*a"tion (-"shn), n. [Cf. F. habituation.] The act of habituating, or accustoming; the state of being habituated.

Hab"i*tude (hb"*td), n. [F., fr. L. habitudo condition. See Habit.] 1. Habitual attitude; usual or accustomed state with reference to something else; established or usual relations. South.

The same ideas having immutably the same habitudes one to another.

Locke.

The verdict of the judges was biased by nothing else than their habitudes of thinking.

Landor.

2. Habitual association, intercourse, or familiarity.

To write well, one must have frequent habitudes with the best company.

Dryden.

3. Habit of body or of action. Shak.

It is impossible to gain an exact habitude without an infinite number of acts and perpetual practice.

Dryden.

||Ha`bi`tu`È" (`b`t`"), n. [F., p. p. of habituer. See Habituate.] One ||who habitually frequents a place; as, an habituÈ of a theater.

Hab"i*ture (hb"*tr; 135), n. Habitude. [Obs.]

||Hab"i*tus (-ts), n. [L.] (Zoˆl.) Habitude; mode of life; general ||appearance.

Ha"ble (h"b'l), a. See Habile. [Obs.] Spenser.

Hab"nab (hb"nb), adv. [Hobnob.] By chance. [Obs.]

Hach"ure (hch"r), n. [F., fr. hacher to hack. See Hatching.] (Fine Arts) A short line used in drawing and engraving, especially in shading and denoting different surfaces, as in map drawing. See Hatching.

||Ha`ci*en"da (‰`th*n"d or h‰`s*n"d), n. [Sp., fr. OSp. facienda ||employment, estate, fr. L. facienda, pl. of faciendum what is to be ||done, fr. facere to do. See Fact.] A large estate where work of any ||kind is done, as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, or raising of ||animals; a cultivated farm, with a good house, in distinction from a ||farming establishment with rude huts for herdsmen, etc.; -- a word ||used in Spanish-American regions.

Hack (hk), n. [See Hatch a half door.] 1. A frame or grating of various kinds; as, a frame for drying bricks, fish, or cheese; a rack for feeding cattle; a grating in a mill race, etc.

2. Unburned brick or tile, stacked up for drying.

Hack, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hacked (hkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Hacking.] [OE. hakken, AS. haccian; akin to D. hakken, G. hacken, Dan. hakke, Sw. hacka, and perh. to E. hew. Cf. Hew to cut, Haggle.] 1. To cut irregulary, without skill or definite purpose; to notch; to mangle by repeated strokes of a cutting instrument; as, to hack a post.

My sword hacked like a handsaw.

Shak.

2. Fig.: To mangle in speaking. Shak.

Hack, v. i. To cough faintly and frequently, or in a short, broken manner; as, a hacking cough.

Hack, n. 1. A notch; a cut. Shak.

2. An implement for cutting a notch; a large pick used in breaking stone.

3. A hacking; a catch in speaking; a short, broken cough. Dr. H. More.

4. (Football) A kick on the shins. T. Hughes.

Hack saw, a handsaw having a narrow blade stretched in an iron frame, for cutting metal.

Hack (hk), n. [Shortened fr. hackney. See Hackney.]

1. A horse, hackneyed or let out for common hire; also, a horse used in all kinds of work, or a saddle horse, as distinguished from hunting and carriage horses.

2. A coach or carriage let for hire; particularly, a coach with two seats inside facing each other; a hackney coach.

On horse, on foot, in hacks and gilded chariots.

Pope.

3. A bookmaker who hires himself out for any sort of literary work; an overworked man; a drudge.

Here lies poor Ned Purdon, from misery freed, Who long was a bookseller's hack.

Goldsmith.

4. A procuress.

Hack, a. Hackneyed; hired; mercenary. Wakefield.

Hack writer, a hack; one who writes for hire. "A vulgar hack writer." Macaulay.

Hack, v. t. 1. To use as a hack; to let out for hire.

2. To use frequently and indiscriminately, so as to render trite and commonplace.

The word "remarkable" has been so hacked of late.

J. H. Newman.

Hack, v. i. 1. To be exposed or offered to common use for hire; to turn prostitute. Hanmer.

2. To live the life of a drudge or hack. Goldsmith.

Hack"a*more (-*mr), n. [Cf. Sp. jaquima headstall of a halter.] A halter consisting of a long leather or rope strap and headstall, -- used for leading or tieing a pack animal. [Western U. S.]

Hack"ber`ry (hk"br`r), n. (Bot.) A genus of trees (Celtis) related to the elm, but bearing drupes with scanty, but often edible, pulp. C. occidentalis is common in the Eastern United States. Gray.

Hack"bolt` (-blt`), n. (Zoˆl.) The greater shearwater or hagdon. See Hagdon.

Hack"buss (-bs), n. Same as Hagbut.

Hack"ee (-), n. (Zoˆl.) The chipmunk; also, the chickaree or red squirrel. [U. S.]

Hack"er (-r), n. One who, or that which, hacks. Specifically: A cutting instrument for making notches; esp., one used for notching pine trees in collecting turpentine; a hack.

Hack"er*y (-), n. [Hind. chhakr.] A cart with wooden wheels, drawn by bullocks. [Bengal] Malcom.

Hac"kle (hk"k'l), n. [See Heckle, and cf. Hatchel.]

1. A comb for dressing flax, raw silk, etc.; a hatchel.

2. Any flimsy substance unspun, as raw silk.

3. One of the peculiar, long, narrow feathers on the neck of fowls, most noticeable on the cock, -- often used in making artificial flies; hence, any feather so used.

4. An artificial fly for angling, made of feathers.

Hac"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hackled (-k'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Hackling (-klng).] 1. To separate, as the coarse part of flax or hemp from the fine, by drawing it through the teeth of a hackle or hatchel.

2. To tear asunder; to break in pieces.

The other divisions of the kingdom being hackled and torn to pieces.

Burke.

Hac"kly (hk"l), a. [From Hackle.] 1. Rough or broken, as if hacked.

2. (Min.) Having fine, short, and sharp points on the surface; as, the hackly fracture of metallic iron.

Hack"man (-man), n.; pl. Hackmen (-men). The driver of a hack or carriage for public hire.

Hack"ma*tack` (-m*tk`), n. [Of American Indian origin.] (Bot.) The American larch (Larix Americana), a coniferous tree with slender deciduous leaves; also, its heavy, close-grained timber. Called also tamarack.

Hack"ney (-n), n.; pl. Hackneys (-nz). [OE. hakeney, hakenay; cf. F. haquenÈe a pacing horse, an ambling nag, OF. also haguenÈe, Sp. hacanea, OSp. facanea, D. hakkenei, also OF. haque horse, Sp. haca, OSp. faca; perh. akin to E. hack to cut, and nag, and orig. meaning, a jolting horse. Cf. Hack a horse, Nag.] 1. A horse for riding or driving; a nag; a pony. Chaucer.

2. A horse or pony kept for hire.

3. A carriage kept for hire; a hack; a hackney coach.

4. A hired drudge; a hireling; a prostitute.

Hack"ney, a. Let out for hire; devoted to common use; hence, much used; trite; mean; as, hackney coaches; hackney authors. "Hackney tongue." Roscommon.

Hack"ney, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hackneyed (-nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Hackneying.] 1. To devote to common or frequent use, as a horse or carriage; to wear out in common service; to make trite or commonplace; as, a hackneyed metaphor or quotation.

Had I so lavish of my presence been, So common-hackneyed in the eyes of men.

Shak.

2. To carry in a hackney coach. Cowper.

Hack"ney*man (-mn), n.; pl. Hackneymen (-mn). A man who lets horses and carriages for hire.

Hack"ster (-str), n. [From Hack to cut.] A bully; a bravo; a ruffian; an assassin. [Obs.] Milton.

Hac"que*ton (hk"k*tn), n. Same as Acton. [Obs.]

Had (hd), imp. & p. p. of Have. [OE. had, hafde, hefde, AS. hÊfde.] See Have.

Had as lief, Had rather, Had better, Had as soon, etc., with a nominative and followed by the infinitive without to, are well established idiomatic forms. The original construction was that of the dative with forms of be, followed by the infinitive. See Had better, under Better.

And lever me is be pore and trewe. [And more agreeable to me it is to be poor and true.]

C. Mundi (Trans.).

Him had been lever to be syke. [To him it had been preferable to be sick.]

Fabian.

For him was lever have at his bed's head Twenty bookes, clad in black or red, . . . Than robes rich, or fithel, or gay sawtrie.

Chaucer.

Gradually the nominative was substituted for the dative, and had for the forms of be. During the process of transition, the nominative with was or were, and the dative with had, are found.

Poor lady, she were better love a dream.

Shak.

You were best hang yourself.

Beau. & Fl.

Me rather had my heart might feel your love Than my unpleased eye see your courtesy.

Shak.

I hadde levere than my scherte, That ye hadde rad his legende, as have I.

Chaucer.

I had as lief not be as live to be In awe of such a thing as I myself.

Shak.

I had rather be a dog and bay the moon, Than such a Roman.

Shak.