Hellicat, hel′i-kat,adj.giddy-headed: flighty.—n.(Scot.) a wicked creature.
Helm, helm,n.the instrument by which a ship is steered: the station of management or government.—v.t.to direct.—n.Helm′age, guidance.—adj.Helm′less, of a ship, without a helm.—n.Helms′man, the one who steers. [A.S.helma; Ice.hjálm, a rudder, Gr.helm, a handle.]
Helm, helm,Helmet, hel′met,n.a covering of armour for the head: (bot.) the hooded upper lip of certain flowers.—adjs.Helmed,Hel′meted, furnished with a helmet.—n.Hel′met-shell, a genus of gasteropods having thick heavy shells with bold ridges: a cameo-shell. [A.S.helm—helan, to cover; Ger.helm.]
Helminth, hel′minth,n.a worm.—n.Helminth′agogue, a remedy against worms.—adj.Helmin′thic, pertaining to worms: (med.) expelling worms.—n.a medicine for expelling worms.—n.Helmin′thite, a long sinuous mark common on the surfaces of sandstone, and supposed to be the tracks of worms.—adjs.Helmin′thoid, worm-shaped;Helmintholog′ic,-al.—ns.Helminthol′ogist;Helminthol′ogy, that branch of natural history which treats of worms, or more particularly of the parasitic forms.—adj.Helminth′ous. [Gr.helmins,-inthos, a worm.]
Helot, hē′lot, or hel′ot,n.one of a class of slaves among the ancient Spartans.—ns.Hē′lotage, the state of a Helot;Hē′lotism, the condition of the Helots in ancient Sparta: slavery;Hē′lotry, the whole body of the Helots: any class of slaves. [Gr.; said to be derived fromHelos, a town in Greece, reduced to slavery by the Spartans.]
Help, help,v.t.to support: to assist: to mitigate: to give means for doing anything: to provide or supply with: to remedy: to prevent, to keep from.—v.i.to give assistance: to contribute:—pa.p.helped, (B.)hōlp′en.—n.means or strength given to another for a purpose: assistance: relief: one who assists: (Amer.) a hired servant, esp. a domestic.—n.Help′er, one who helps: an assistant.—adj.Help′ful, giving help: useful.—n.Help′fulness.—adj.Help′less, without help or power in one's self: wanting assistance.—adv.Help′lessly.—ns.Help′lessness;Help′mate, an assistant: a partner: a wife—also writtenHelp′meet, from Gen. ii. 18.—Help forward, to assist in making progress;Help off, to aid in disposing or getting rid of;Help on, to forward, to lift up;Help out, to aid in finishing a task, eking out a supply, &c.;Help over, to enable to surmount;Help to, to aid in obtaining for some one;Help up, to raise.—God help him, a phrase implying extreme pity or commiseration.—So help me God, a very strong asseveration, implying the willingness of the speaker to let his chance of salvation depend upon his truthfulness. [A.S.helpan, pa.t.healp, pa.p.holpen; Ice.hjálpa, Ger.helfen, to aid.]
Helter-skelter, hel′ter-skel′ter,adv.in a confused hurry: tumultuously.—n.a confused medley: disorderly motion.—adj.confused.—n.Hel′ter-skel′teriness. [Imit.]
Helve, helv,n.the handle of an axe or hatchet: the handle of a forehammer.—v.t.to furnish with a handle, as an axe.—n.Helve′-hamm′er, a trip-hammer. [A.S.hielfe,helfe, a handle.]
Helvetic, hel-vet′ik,adj.pertaining to Switzerland—alsoHelvē′tian.—Helvetic Confessions, two confessions of faith drawn up by the Swiss theologians in 1536 and 1566, in substance Protestant, Evangelical, moderately Calvinistic, and Zwinglian. [L.,—Helvetia, Latin name of Switzerland.]
Hem, hem,n.the border of a garment doubled down and sewed.—v.t.to form a hem on: to edge:—pr.p.hem′ming;pa.p.hemmed.—n.Hem′-stitch, the ornamental finishing of the inner side of a hem, made by pulling out several threads adjoining it and drawing together in groups the cross-threads by successive stitches.—v.t.to embroider with such.—Hem in, to surround. [A.S.hemm, a border; Ger.hamm, a fence.]
Hem, hem,n.andinterj.a sort of half-cough to draw attention.—v.i.to utter the soundhem!—pr.p.hem′ming;pa.p.hemmed. [Imit.]
Hem, hem, (Spens.) them.
Hemeralopia, hem′e-ra-lō′pi-a,n.day-blindness, a defect of vision except in artificial or dim light; also applied to night-blindness. [Gr.hēmera, a day,alaos, blind,ōps, the eye.]
Hemianopsia, hem′i-an-op′si-a,n.complete or partial blindness as to half the field of vision—alsoHemianōp′ia,Hemiō′pia,Hemiop′sia,Hem′opsy.—adjs.Hemianop′tic,Hemiop′ic. [Gr.hēmi-,half,an-,neg.,opsis, sight.]
Hemicrania, hem-i-krā′ni-a,n.headache confined to one side of the head.—adj.Hemicran′ic.
Hemicycle, hem′i-sī-kl,n.a semicircle, a room with seats so arranged. [Fr.,—Gr.]
Hemihedrism, hem-i-hē′drizm,n.a property of crystals of beingHemihē′dral, or having half the number of symmetrically arranged planes occurring on a holohedron.—n.Hemihē′dron. [Gr.hēmi-, half,hedra, a seat.]
Hemiolic, hem-i-ol′ik,adj.constituting the proportion of 1½ to 1, or of 3 to 2. [Gr.hēmi-, half,holos, whole.]
Hemionus, hē-mī′o-nus,Hemione,hem′i-ōn,n.the half-ass, or dziggetai. [Gr.hēmi-, half,onos, an ass.]
Hemiplegia, hem-i-plē′ji-a,n.paralysis of one side of the face or body—alsoHem′iplegy.—adj.Hemipleg′ic. [Gr.hēmi-, half,plēgē, a blow.]
Hemiptera, hem-ip′tėr-a,n.an order ofInsecta, in the classification of Linnæus: in later systems, the same asRhyncota, including aphides, coccus insects, cicadas, bugs, water-scorpions, lice (Ametabola).—n.Hemip′ter.—adjs.Hemip′teral,Hemip′teran,Hemip′terous. [Gr.hēmi-, half,pteron, a wing.]
Hemisphere, hem′i-sfēr,n.a half-sphere: half of the globe or a map of it.—adjs.Hemispher′ic,-al.—n.Hemisphē′roid, the half of a spheroid.—adj.Hemispheroi′dal.—EasternandWesternhemispheres, the eastern and western halves of the terrestrial globe, the former including Europe, Asia, and Africa; the latter, the Americas. [Gr.hēmisphairion—hēmi-, half,sphaira, a sphere.]
Hemistich, hem′i-stik,n.one of the two parts of a line of poetry as divided by the cesura: half a line, an incomplete or unfinished line: an epodic line or refrain.—adj.Hem′istichal. [L.hemistichium—Gr.hēmistichion—hēmi-, half,stichos, a line.]
Hemitrope, hem′i-trōp,n.a form in which one part of a crystal is in reverse position with reference to the other part, a twin-crystal.—adjs.Hem′itrope,Hemit′ropal,Hemitrop′ic,Hemit′ropous.
Hemlock, hem′lok,n.a genus of umbelliferous plants, the most common species being the poisonous spotted hemlock, used in medicine. [A.S.hemlic, the second syllable a weakened form ofleác, a plant. Cf.Charlock,Garlic.]
Hemp, hemp,n.a plant with a fibrous bark used for cordage, coarse cloth, &c.: the fibrous rind prepared for spinning.—adj.Hemp′en, made of hemp.—ns.Hemp′-nett′le, a coarse bristly annual weed of the labiate family;Hemp′-palm, a palm of China and Japan, the fibre of the leaves of which is much employed for making cordage—hats, cloaks, and other garments are also made from it;Hemp′-seed, Mrs Quickly's word for homicide (Shak.,2 Henry IV., II. i. 64).—adj.Hemp′y, like hemp: roguish: romping.—n.(Scot.) a rogue.—Hempen collar, andcaudle(Shak.), the hangman's noose;Hempen widow, the widow of a man who has been hanged. [A.S.henep,hænep—L.cannabis—Gr.kannabis.]
Hen, hen,n.the female of any bird, esp. of the domestic fowl.—ns.Hen′bane, a coarse annual or biennial herb of the nightshade family, poisonous, esp. to domestic fowls;Hen′coop, a coop or large cage for domestic fowls;Hen′-driv′er,Hen′-harr′ier, a species of falcon, the common harrier.—adj.Hen′-heart′ed, timid as a hen: cowardly.—ns.Hen′-house, a house, coop, or shelter for fowls;Hen′-huss′y, a man who meddles with women's affairs;Hen′-mould, a black, spongy soil;Hen′nery, a place where fowls are kept.—adj.Hen′ny, like a hen, feathered.—v.t.Hen′peck, of a wife, to domineer over her husband.—n.the subjection of a husband to his wife.—adj.Hen′pecked, weakly subject to his wife.—ns.Henpeck′ery, the state of being henpecked;Hen′-roost, a place where poultry roost at night;Hen′wife,Hen′-wom′an, a woman who has the charge of poultry. [A.S.henn—hana, a cock; Ger.hahn, fem.henne.]
Hence, hens,adv.from this place or time: in the future: from this cause or reason: from this origin.—interj.away! begone!—advs.Hence′forth,Hencefor′ward, from this time forth or forward. [M. E.hennes,henne—A.S.heonan, from the base of he; Ger.hinnen,hin, hence; so L.hinc, hence—hic, this.]
Henchman, hensh′man,n.a servant: a page. [Not fromhaunch-man, but from A.S.hengest, a horse (Ger.hengst), and man.]
Hend, hend,v.t.(Spens.) to seize, to grasp. [Hand.]
Hendecagon, hen-dek′a-gon,n.a plane figure of eleven angles and eleven sides.—adj.Hendecag′onal. [Gr.hendeka, eleven,gōnia, an angle.]
Hendecasyllable, hen′dek-a-sil-a-bl,n.a metrical line of eleven syllables.—adj.Hendecasyllab′ic. [Gr.hendeka, eleven,syllabē, a syllable.]
Hendiadys, hen-dī′a-dis,n.a rhetorical figure in which one and the same notion is presented in two expressions, as 'with might and main'=by main strength. [Gr.hen dia dyoin, lit. 'one by two.']
Henequen, hen′ē-ken,n.a fibre known as sisal-hemp, used for ships' cables, obtained chiefly fromAgave Ixtliof Yucatan, also the plant itself.—AlsoHen′equin,Hen′iquin. [Sp.jeniquen.]
Henna, hen′a,n.a small Oriental shrub of the loosestrife family, with fragrant white flowers: a pigment made from the shrub for dyeing the nails and hair. [Ar.henna.]
Henotheism, hen′ō-thē-izm,n.the ascribing of supreme power to some one of several gods in turn: the belief in a special supreme god over a particular people—a national or relative monotheism.—adj.Henotheist′ic. [Gr.heis(hen-), one,theos, god, and suff.-ism.]
Henotic, hen-ot′ik,adj.tending to unify or reconcile. [Gr.henōtikos—heis, one.]
Henry, hen′ri,n.(electr.) the practical unit of self-induction—from JosephHenry, American physicist (1797-1878).
Hent, hent (Spens.),pa.t.ofhend.—n.hold.
Hent, hent,v.t.to clear, go beyond. [A.S.hentan, to seize.]
Hep, hep,n.SeeHip, the fruit of the dog-rose.
Hep, hep,interj.a cry said to come down from the Crusaders' time, often the cry of the mob in an outrage on the Jews—more probably an abbreviation ofHebrewthan formed from the initials ofHierosolyma est perdita=Jerusalem is destroyed.
Hepar, hē′par,n.the name given by the older chemists to various compounds of sulphur, from their brown, liver-like colour.—adj.Hepat′ic, belonging to the liver.—ns.pl.Hepat′ica, medicines which affect the liver and its appendages;Hepat′icæ, the liver-worts, a sub-class of bryophytic or moss-like plants.—n.Hepatisā′tion, consolidation of tissue, as of the lungs in pneumonia, resulting in a liver-like solidification.—v.t.Hep′atise, to convert into a substance resembling liver.—ns.Hep′atīte, a variety of barium sulphate or barite, with a characteristic stink;Hepatī′tis, inflammation of the liver;Hep′atocele, hernia of the liver;Hepatol′ogist, a specialist in diseases of the liver;Hepatol′ogy, the science of, or a treatise on, the liver;Hepatorrhœ′a, a morbid flow of bile;Hepatos′copy, divination by inspection of the livers of animals. [Gr.hēpar,hēpătos, the liver.]
Heptachord, hep′ta-kord,n.in Greek music, a diatonic series of seven tones, containing five whole steps and one half-step: an instrument with seven strings.
Heptade, hep′tad,n.the sum or number of seven: (chem.) an atom, radical, or element having a combining power of seven. [Fr.,—Gr.heptas,heptados—hepta, seven.]
Heptaglot, hep′ta-glot,adj.in seven languages.—n.a book in seven languages. [Gr.heptaglōttos—hepta, seven,glōtta,glōssa, tongue.]
Heptagon, hep′ta-gon,n.a plane figure with seven angles and seven sides.—adj.Heptag′onal. [Gr.heptagōnos, seven-cornered—hepta, seven,gōnia, an angle.]
Heptagynia, hept-a-jin′i-a,n.an order of plants having seven styles.—adj.Heptag′ynous. [Gr.hepta, seven,gynē, a woman.]
Heptahedron, hep-ta-hē′dron,n.a solid figure with seven faces or sides.—adjs.Heptahē′dral,Heptahed′rical;Heptahexahē′dral, having seven ranges of faces one above another, each range containing six faces. [Gr.hepta, seven,hedrā, a seat, a base.]
Heptameride, hep-tam′e-rid,n.anything consisting of seven parts.—adj.Heptam′erous(bot.), consisting of seven members or parts.
Heptameron, hep′tam-e-ron,n.a book containing the transactions of seven days, esp. the 72 stories supposed to be told in seven days, bearing the name of Queen Margaret of Navarre (1492-1549). [Gr.hepta, seven,hēmera, a day.]
Heptameter, hep′tam-e-tėr,n.a verse of seven measures. [Gr.hepta, seven,metron, measure.]
Heptandria, hept-an′dri-a,n.a class of plants having seven stamens.—adj.Heptan′drous. [Gr.hepta, seven, anēr,andros, a man.]
Heptangular, hept-ang′gū-lar,adj.having seven angles. [Gr.hepta, seven, andangular.]
Heptaphyllous, hep-ta-fil′us,adj.having seven leaves.
Heptapody, hep-tap′o-di,n.a verse of seven feet.—adj.Heptapod′ic.
Heptarchy, hep′tär-ki,n.a government by seven persons: the country governed by seven: a period in the Saxon history of England—a misleading term in any other meaning than merely this, that the chief kingdoms at various periods from the 5th to the 9th century were seven—Wessex, Sussex, Kent, Essex, East Anglia, Mercia, and Northumbria.—ns.Hep′tarch,Hep′tarchist.—adj.Heptar′chic. [Gr.hepta, seven,archē, sovereignty.]
Heptaspermous, hep-ta-sper′mus,adj.having seven seeds.
Heptasyllabic, hep-ta-si-lab′ik,adj.seven-syllabled, like the second half of the elegiac pentameter.
Heptateuch, hep′ta-tūk,n.a word sometimes used for the first seven books of the Old Testament—formed on the analogy of Pentateuch and Hexateuch. [Gr.hepta, seven,teuchos, an instrument, a volume.]
Her, hėr,pron.objective and possessive case ofshe.—adj.belonging to a female. [M. E.here—A.S.hire, gen. and dat. sing. ofheó, she.]
Heraclean,Heracleian, her-a-klē′an,adj.pertaining to Hercules.—adj.Heraclī′dan,Heraclei′dan, pertaining to the Heracleidæ 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, usuallyHer′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(seeCollege). [O. Fr.herault; of Teut. origin, Old High Ger.hari(A.S.here, Ger.heer), an army, andwald=walt, strength, sway.]
Herb, hėrb,n.a plant the stem of which dies every year, as distinguished from a tree or shrub which has a permanent stem.—adj.Herbā′ceous, pertaining to, or of the nature of, herbs: (bot.) having a soft stem that dies to the root annually.—n.Herbage(hėrb′āj,orėrb′āj),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;Herbā′rian, a herbalist;Herbā′rium, a classified collection of preserved herbs or plants:—pl.Herbā′riums,Herbā′ria;Herb′ary, a garden of herbs;Herb′-benn′et(seeAvens).—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;Herborisā′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′-Pē′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.phorbē, pasture—pherbein, to feed.]
Herculanean, her-kū-lā′nē-an,adj.of or pertaining toHerculaneum, the ancient Roman city buried with Pompeii by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79A.D.
Herculean, hėr-kū′lē-an,adj.of or pertaining toHercules: 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'sMemorabilia;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, hėrd,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, PeterHerdicof Pennsylvania.]
Here, hēr,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. toHereinbefore′;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.hér, from base ofhé, he; Dut. and Ger.hier, Sw.här.]
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,herēdis, 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-ärk,orhe-rē′zi-ärk),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.hæresis—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.Hérissé, bristled. [A doublet ofurchin.]
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—-LowL.hereditabilis—L.hereditas.]
Heritage, her′it-āj,n.that which is inherited: inherited lot, condition of one's birth: (B.) the children (of God). [O. Fr.heritage,heriter—Late L.hereditāre, to inherit.]
Herling, her′ling,n.the young of the sea-trout.
Hermæ. SeeHermes.
Hermandad, ėr-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, hėr-maf′rod-īt,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.Hermaphrodītos, the son ofHermēsandAphroditē, who, when bathing, grew together with the nymph Salmacis into one person.]
Hermeneutic,-al, hėr-me-nū′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.hermēneu′tikos—hermēneus, an interpreter, fromHermēs, Mercury, the god of art and eloquence.]
Hermes, hėr′mēz,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.Hermæ(her′mē):the Egyptian Thoth, identified with the Greek Hermes.
Hermetic,-al, hėr-met′ik, -al,adj.belonging in any way to the the beliefs current in the Middle Ages under the name ofHermes, 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. [FromHermēs Trismegistos, Hermes 'the thrice-greatest,' the Greek name for the Egyptian god Thoth, who was god of science, esp. alchemy.]
Hermit, hėr′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′mitāge,Her′mitary, the dwelling of a hermit: a retired abode: a wine produced near Valence, in Drôme;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.erēmitēs—erēmos, solitary.]
Hern. Same asHeron.
Hern, a provincial form forhers.
Hernia, hėr′ni-a,n.a protrusion, through an abnormal or accidental opening, of the abdominal viscera, the condition popularly calledrupture.—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, hėrn′shaw,n.(Spens.). Same asHeronshaw.
Hero, hē′rō,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′ō-in).—adj.Herō′ic, becoming a hero: courageous: illustrious: daring, rash.—n.a heroic verse: (pl.) extravagant phrases, bombast.—adj.Herō′ical.—adv.Herō′ically—(Milt.)Herō′icly.—ns.Herō′icalness,Herō′icness.—adjs.Herō′icomic,-al, consisting of a mixture of heroic and comic: designating the high burlesque.—ns.Her′oism, the qualities of a hero: courage: boldness;Hē′roship, the state of being a hero;Hē′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.hērōs; akin to L.vir, A.S.wer, a man, Sans.víra, a hero.]
Herodians, he-rō′di-ans,n.pl.a political rather than religious party among the Jews of the apostolic age, adherents of the family ofHerod. 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. [Properlyheronswewe(O. Fr.herounçel), which was confounded with the old formhernshaw, a heronry, fromheron, andshaw, a wood.]
Herpes, hėr′pēz,n.the name of a group of diseases of the skin, characterised by the presence of clusters of vesicles on an inflamed base—Catarrhal herpesandHerpes zosterorShingles.—adj.Herpet′ic, relating to or resembling herpes: creeping. [Gr.herpēs—herpein, to creep.]
Herpestes, her-pes′tez,n.the typical genus of ichneumons or mongooses of the sub-familyHerpestinæ, 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.hǽring,héring; cf. Ger.häring,heer.]
Herrnhuter, hern′hut-ėr,n.one of the Moravians or United Brethren, so called from their settlement in 1722 atHerrnhutin Saxony.
Herry, a Scotch form ofharry.—n.Herr′yment, harassment.
Hers, hėrz,pron.possessive ofshe.
Hersal, hėr′sal,n.(Spens.) rehearsal.
Herse, hėrs,n.(fort.) a portcullis: a species of cheval-de-frise.—adj.Hersed, arranged in harrow form. [Hearse.]
Herself, hėr-self′,pron.the emphatic form ofshein the nominative or objective case: in her real character: having the command of her facilities, sane.
Hership, hėr′ship,n.the carrying off of cattle: (Scot.) foray. [Here, army, or stem of A.S.herjan, to harry; cf. Ice.herskapr, warfare—herr, army, and-skapr,-ship.]
Hery, hē′ri,v.t.(Spens.) to praise, to regard as holy. [A.S.herian, to praise.]
Hesitate, hez′i-tāt,v.i.to stop in making a decision: to be in doubt: to stammer.—v.t.(rare) to express with hesitation.—ns.Hes′itancy,Hesitā′tion, wavering: doubt: stammering.—adj.Hes′itan't, hesitating.—adv.Hes′itātingly.—adj.Hes′itātive, showing hesitation.—n.Hes′itātor, one who hesitates.—adj.Hes′itātory, hesitating. [L.hæsitāre,-ātum, freq. ofhærēre,hæsum, to stick.]
Hesper, hes′pėr,Hesperus,hes′pėr-us,n.the Greek name for Venus as the evening-star.—adj.Hespē′rian, of Hesperus or the west. [L.,—Gr.hesperos, evening.]
Hesperides, hes-per′ī-dēz,n.pl.the name of the three sisters who guarded in their delightful gardens the golden apples which Hera, on her marriage with Zeus, had received from Gæa.
Hesperornis, hes-per-ōr′nis,n.an extinct form of bird, the remains of which have been met with in the American cretaceous deposits. [Gr.hesperos, western,ornis, a bird.]
Hessian, hesh′i-an,adj.of or pertaining to Hesse.—n.a native of Hesse: (pl.) short forHessian boots, a kind of long boots first worn by Hessian troops.—Hessian fly, a dipterous insect, in its larval state attacking stems of barley, wheat, and rye. [FromHesse, a grand-duchy of the German Empire.]
Hest, hest,n.(Shak.) behest, command. [A.S.hǽs, a command—hátan, to command.]
Hesternal, hes-ter′nal,adj.of yesterday.
Hesvan, hes′van,n.the second month of the Jewish civil year.—AlsoHesh′van. [Heb.]
Hesychast, hes′i-kast,n.one of a mystic and contemplative sect of the Greek Church in the 14th century, whose members may be described as the Quietists of the East.—n.Hes′ychasm, their doctrines and practice. [Gr.hēsychastēs—hēsychos, quiet.]
Hetæra, he-tē′ra,Hetaira,he-tī′ra,n.in Greece, a woman employed in public or private entertainment, as flute-playing, dancing, &c.: a paramour or courtesan.—ns.Hetæ′rism,Hetairism(-tī′),concubinage, open commerce between the sexes;Hetæroc′racy, the rule of courtesans.—n.Hetai′rist, one who practises hetærism.—adj.Hetairist′ic. [Gr.hetaira, fem. ofhetairos, a companion.]
Heterarchy, het′e-rär-ki,n.foreign rule.
Heterauxesis, het-e-rawk-sē′sis,n.(bot.) irregular or unsymmetrical growth.
Heteroblastic, het-er-o-blas′tik,adj.derived from different cells:—opposed toHomoblastic. [Gr.heteros, other,blastos, bud, germ.]
Heterocarpous, het-e-ro-kar′pus,adj.(bot.) bearing fruit of two sorts.
Heterocercal, het-er-o-sėr′kal,adj.having the upper fork of the tail different from or longer than the lower, as the shark:—opposed toHomocercal.—n.Het′erocercy. [Gr.heteros, different from,kerkos, the tail.]
Heterochromous, het-e-ro-krō′mus,adj.(bot.) having different members unlike in colour.
Heterochrony, het-e-rok′ro-ni,n.(biol.) a divergence inontogeneticsequence affecting the time of formation of parts or organs—alsoHeterochrō′nia.—adj.Heterochron′ic.—n.Heteroch′ronism.—adjs.Heterochronist′ic;Heteroch′ronous.
Heteroclite, het′er-o-klīt,adj.irregularly inflected: irregular—alsoHeteroclit′ic,-al.—n.Het′eroclīte, a word irregularly inflected: anything irregular.—adj.Heteroc′litous. [Gr.heteroklitos—heteros, other,klitos, inflected—klinein, to inflect.]
Heterodactyl, het-e-ro-dak′til,adj.having the digits irregular or peculiar in size, form, or position.—AlsoHeterodac′tylous.
Heterodont, het′er-o-dont,adj.having different kinds of teeth:—opposed toHomodont.—n.pl.Heterodont′a, an order of bivalves with hinge-teeth (cardinal and lateral) fitting into corresponding cavities in the opposite valve. [Gr.heteros, other,odous,odont-, a tooth.]
Heterodox, het′er-o-doks,adj.holding an opinion other or different from the one generally received, esp. in theology: heretical.—n.Het′erodoxy, heresy. [Gr.heterodoxos—heteros, other,doxa, an opinion—dokein, to think.]
Heterœcism, het-e-rē′sizm,n.the development, as of some parasitic fungi, of different stages of existence on different host-plants.—adjs.Heterœ′cious,Heterœcis′mal. [Gr.heteros, other,oikos, a house.]
Heterogamous, het-e-rog′a-mus,adj.(bot.) bearing two kinds of flowers which differ sexually, as in most Compositæ, &c.—n.Heterog′amy. [Gr.heteros, other,gamos, marriage.]
Heterogeneous, het-er-o-jē′ne-us,adj.of another race or kind: dissimilar: composed of different kinds or parts—alsoHeterogēn′eal(rare):—opposed toHomogeneous.—ns.Heterogenē′ity,Heterogēn′eousness.—adv.Heterogēn′eously. [Gr.heterogenēs—heteros, other,genos, a kind.]
Heterogenesis, het-er-ō-gen′e-sis,n.(biol.) spontaneous generation, abiogenesis: generation in which the offspring differs in structure and habit from the parent animal or plant, the ancestral characteristics, however, ultimately reappearing—XenogenesisandAlternate generationare other names—alsoHeterog′eny.—adj.Heterogenet′ic. [Gr.heteros, other,genesis, generation.]
Heterogonous, het-e-rog′ō-nus,adj.(bot.) having flowers dimorphous or trimorphous as to the relative length of stamens and styles, an adaptation for cross-fertilisation. [Gr.heteros, other,gonos, generation.]
Heterography, het-e-rog′ra-fi,n.heterogeneous spelling.—adj.Heterograph′ic.
Heterology, het-er-ol′oj-i,n.abnormality, want of true morphological affinity.—adj.Heterol′ogous. [Gr.heteros, other,logia, relation.]
Heteromerous, het-e-rom′e-rus,adj.diversiform. [Gr.heteros, other,meros, a part.]
Heteromorphic, het-e-ro-mor′fik,adj.deviating in form from a given type—alsoHeteromor′phous.—ns.Heteromor′phism;Heteromor′phy. [Gr.heteros, other,morphē, form.]
Heteronomous, het-er-on′o-mus,adj.differentiated from a common type: subject to the rule of another.—n.Heteron′omy, subordination to law imposed by another:—opposed toAutonomy. [Gr.heteros, other,nomos, law.]
Heteronym, het′er-o-nim,n.a word spelled like another, but with a different sound and meaning, aslead, to guide;lead, the metal.—adj.Heteron′ymous.—n.Heteron′ymy. [Gr.heteros, other,onoma, a name.]
Heteroöusian. SeeHeterousian.
Heteropathy, het-e-rop′a-thi,n.allopathy.—adj.Heteropath′ic.
Heterophemy, het-e-ro-fē′mi,n.the saying of one thing when another is meant.—v.i.Heterophē′mise.—ns.Heterophē′mism;Heterophē′mist.—adj.Heterophemis′tic. [Gr.heteros, other,phēmē, a saying.]
Heterophyllous, het′er-o-fil′us,adj.(bot.) having two different kinds of leaves on the same stem. [Gr.heteros, other,phyllon, a leaf.]
Heteroplasia, het-e-ro-plā′si-a,n.the development of abnormal tissue by diseased action.—adj.Heteroplas′tic.—n.Heteroplas′ty. [Gr.heteros, other,plasis, a forming.]
Heteropoda, het-er-op′o-da,n.pl.pelagic gasteropods in which the 'foot' has become a swimming organ.—n.Het′eropod, one of the Heteropoda. [Gr.heteros, other,pous,podos, a foot.]
Heteroptera, het-e-rop′te-ra,n.pl.a sub-order ofHemiptera.—adj.Heterop′terous. [Gr.heteros, other,pteron, a wing.]
Heteroptics, het-e-rop′tiks,n.perverted vision. [Gr.heteros, other,optikos, optic]
Heteroscian, het-e-rosh′i-an,adj.andn.pertaining to a person living on one side of the equator, as contrasted with one living on the other side. [Gr.heteros, other,skia, a shadow.]
Heterosomata, het-e-ro-sō′ma-ta,n.pl.the flat-fishes.—adj.Heterosō′matous. [Gr.heteros, different,sōma, pl.sōmata, a body.]
Heterosporous, het-e-ro-spō′rus,adj.having more than one kind of asexually produced spores. [Gr.heteros, other,sporos, seed.]
Heterostrophic, het-e-rō-strof′ik,adj.reversed in direction.—n.Heteros′trophy. [Gr.heteros, other,strophē, a turning.]
Heterostyled, het′e-rō-stīld,adj.same asHeterogonous(q.v.).—n.Heterostyl′ism. [Gr.heteros, other,stylos, a pillar.]
Heterotaxis, het-er-o-tak′sis,n.anomalous arrangement of organs.—adj.Heterotax′ic. [Gr.heteros, other,taxis, arrangement.]
Heterotomous, het-er-ot′o-mus,adj.(min.) having a cleavage different from the common variety. [Gr.heteros, other,tomē, a cutting.]
Heterotopy, het-e-rot′o-pi,n.misplacement.—adj.Heterot′opous. [Gr.heteros, other,topos, place.]
Heterotrophy, het-e-rot′rof-i,n.(bot.) an abnormal mode of obtaining nutrition. [Gr.heteros, other,trophē, food.]
Heterousian, het′e-rōō-zi-an,n.andadj.one who believes the Father and Son to be unlike in substance or essence:—opposed toHomoöusian: an Arian.—AlsoHeteroöu′sian. [Gr.heteros, other,ousia, substance,einai, to be.]
Hetman, het′man,n.the title of the head or general of the Cossacks. [Russ.]
Heugh,Heuch, hūh,n.(Scot.) a crag, a glen with steep sides. [SeeHow, a hill.]
Heulandite, hū′lan-dīt,n.a mineral of the zeolite group—from H.Heuland, an English mineralogist.
Heuristic, hū-ris′tik,adj.serving to find out.—n.the art of discovery in logic: the method in education by which the pupil is set to find out things for himself. [From the root of Gr.heuriskein, to find; also spelteuriskein. SeeEureka.]
Hew, hū,v.t.to cut with any sharp instrument: to cut in pieces: to shape.—v.i.to deal blows with a cutting instrument:—pa.p.hewed, or hewn.—n.(Spens.) hacking.—n.Hew′er, one who hews. [A.S.héawan; Ger.hauen.]
Hexachord, hek′sa-kord,n.a diatonic series of six notes, having a semitone between the third and fourth. [Gr.hex, six,chordē, a string.]
Hexad, hek′sad,n.a series of six numbers: (chem.) an element or radical with the combining power of six units—i.e. of six atoms of hydrogen.
Hexadactylous, hek-sa-dak′ti-lus,adj.having six fingers or toes.—n.Hexadac′tylism.
Hexaëmeron, hek-sa-ē′me-ron,n.a period of six days, esp. that of the creation, according to Genesis: a history of the six days of creation. [Late Gr.hexaēmeros—hex, six,hēmera, a day.]
Hexagon, heks′a-gon,n.a figure with six sides and six angles.—adj.Hexag′onal.—adv.Hexag′onally.—v.t.Hex′agonise. [Gr.hexagōnon—hex, six,gōnia, an angle.]
Hexagynia, hek-sa-jin′i-a,n.in the Linnæan system an order of plants having six styles.—adjs.Hexagyn′ian,Hexag′ynous.
Hexahedron, heks-a-hē′dron,n.a cube, a regular solid with six sides or faces, each of these being a square.—adj.Hexahē′dral. [Gr.hex, six,hedra, a base.]
Hexameter, hek-sam′et-ėr,n.a verse of six measures or feet, the first four dactyls or spondees, the fifth a dactyl (sometimes a spondee), the sixth a spondee or trochee.—adj.having six metrical feet.—adjs.Hexamet′ric,-al.—n.Hexam′etrist, a writer of hexameters. [L.,—Gr.hex, six,metron, a measure.]
Hexandria, heks-an′dri-a,n.a Linnæan class of plants having six stamens.—adj.Hexan′drian. [Gr.hex, six,anēr,andros, a man, male.]
Hexangular, hek-sang′gū-lar,adj.having six angles.
Hexapetalous, hek-sa-pet′a-lus,adj.having six petals.
Hexaphyllous, hek-sa-fil′us,adj.having six leaves or leaflets. [Gr.hex, six,phyllon, a leaf.]
Hexapla, heks′a-pla,n.an edition of the Bible in six versions, as that made by Origen of the Old Testament.—adj.Hex′aplar. [Gr.hexapla, pl. neut. ofhexaplous, sixfold.]
Hexapod, heks′a-pod,n.an animal with six feet.—n.Hexap′ody, a line or verse of six feet. [Gr.hexapous,-podos—hex, six,pous, a foot.]
Hexastich, heks′a-stik,n.a poem or stanza of six lines. [Gr.hexastichos—hex, six,stichos, a line.]
Hexastyle, heks′a-stīl,adj.having six columns, of a portico or temple having six columns in front. [Gr.hexastylos—hex, six,stylos, a pillar.]
Hexateuch, heks′a-tūk,n.the first six books of the Old Testament.—adj.Hex′ateuchal. [From Gr.hex, six, andteuchos, a book.]
Hey, hā,interj.expressive of joy or interrogation.—interj.Hey′day, expressive of frolic, exultation, or wonder.—n.exaltation of the spirits: the wild gaiety of youth: period of fullest vigour.—n.Hey′deguy(Spens.), a country dance or round.—interjs.Hey′-go-mad, expressing a high degree of excitement;Hey′-pass(Milt.), an expression used by jugglers during their performance. [Imit.]
Heyduck.SeeHaiduk.
Hi!hī,interj.expressing wonder or derision, or calling attention.
Hiatus, hī-ā′tus,n.a gap: an opening: a chasm: a break in continuity, a defect: (gram.) a concurrence of vowel sounds in two successive syllables. [L.,—hiāre,hiātum, to gape.]
Hibernate, hī′bėr-nāt,v.i.to winter: to pass the winter in torpor: to live in seclusion.—ns.Hiber′nacle, a winter covering;Hibernac′ulum, any part of a plant protecting an embryonic organ during the winter.—adj.Hiber′nal, belonging to winter: wintry.—n.Hibernā′tion, the state of torpor in which many animals pass the winter. [L.hibernāre,-ātum—hibernus, wintry—hiems, winter.]
Hibernian, hī-bėr′ni-an,adj.relating to Hibernia or Ireland.—n.an Irishman.—ns.Hiber′nianism,Hiber′nicism, an Irish idiom or peculiarity.—adv.Hiber′nically.—v.t.Hiber′nicīse, to render Irish.—n.Hibernisā′tion, a making Irish. [L.Hibernia, Ireland.]
Hibiscus, hī-bis′kus,n.a genus of malvaceous plants, mostly tropical. [L.,—Gr.hibiscos, mallow.]
Hic, hik,interj.a syllable expressing the sound made by one affected with a drunken hiccup.
Hiccatee,Hicatee, hik-a-tē′,n.a fresh-water tortoise of Central America.
Hiccup, hik′up,n.the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, while the glottis is spasmodically closed: the sound caused by this—also, but erroneously,Hic′cough.—v.i.to be affected with hiccup.—v.t.to say with a hiccup:—pr.p.hicc′upping;pa.p.hicc′upped.—adj.Hicc′upy, marked by hiccups. [Imit.; cf. Dut.hik, Dan.hikke, Bret.hik. The spellinghiccoughis due to a confusion withcough.]
Hickory, hik′or-i,n.a genus (Carva) of North American nut-bearing trees, with heavy strong tenacious wood, used for shafts of carriages, handles of axes, &c. [Pohickery; of Indian origin.]
Hickwall, hik′-wal,n.(prov.) the green woodpecker.
Hid,Hidden. SeeHide.
Hidalgo, hi-dal′gō,n.a Spanish nobleman of the lowest class.—adj.Hidal′goish.—n.Hidal′goism. [Sp.,hijo de algo, 'the son of something.']
Hide, hīd,v.t.to conceal: to keep in safety.—v.i.to lie concealed:—pa.t.hid;pa.p.hid′den,hid.—adj.Hid′den, concealed: unknown.—adv.Hid′denly, in a hidden or secret manner: privily—(Scot.)Hid′lins.—adj.Hid′denmost, most hidden.—n.Hid′denness.—ns.Hide′-and-seek′, a children's game, where one seeks the others who have hid themselves;Hide′away, a fugitive.—adj.that hides away.—n.Hid′ing, a place of concealment [A.S.hýdan, to hide; cf. Low Ger.hûden, Gr.keuthein.]
Hide, hīd,n.the skin of an animal, esp. the larger animals, sometimes used derogatorily for human skin.—v.t.to flog or whip.—adj.Hide′-bound, having the hide closely bound to the body, as in animals: in trees, having the bark so close that it impedes the growth: stubborn, bigoted, obstinate.—n.Hid′ing, a thrashing. [A.S.hýd; Ger.haut, L.cutis.]
Hide, hīd,n.in old English law, a certain area of land, from 60 to 100 acres.—n.Hid′age, a tax once assessed on every hide of land. [A.S.híd, contracted fromhígid—híw-,híg-, household.]
Hideous, hid′e-us,adj.frightful: horrible: ghastly.—ns.Hideos′ity,Hid′eousness.—adv.Hid′eously. [O. Fr.hideus,hisdos—hide,hisde, dread, prob.—L.hispidus, rough, rude.]
Hidrotic, hid-rot′ik,adj.sudorific.—n.a sudorific.
Hie, hī,v.i.to hasten.—v.t.to urge on: pass quickly over:—pr.p.hie′ing;pa.p.hied. [A.S.hígian.]
Hie,High, hī,n.(prov.) the call to a horse to turn to the left:—opposite ofHup.
Hielaman, hī′la-man,n.the native Australian narrow shield of bark or wood.
Hiems, hī′emz,n.(Shak.) winter.—adj.Hī′emal.—v.t.Hī′emate.—n.Hiemā′tion, hibernation. [L.]
Hieracosphinx, hī-er-ā′ko-sfingks,n.SeeSphinx.
Hiera-picra, hī′e-ra-pik′ra,n.a purgative drug from aloes and canella bark.—AlsoHickery-pickery,Higry-pigry. [Gr.hiera, fem. ofhieros, sacred,pikra, fem. ofpikros, bitter.]
Hierarch, hī′ėr-ärk,n.a ruler in sacred matters.—adjs.Hi′erarchal,Hierarch′ical.—adv.Hierarch′ically.—ns.Hī′erarchism;Hī′erarchy, rule in sacred matters: persons that so rule: the body of the clergy: a government by priests: a series of successive terms of different rank;Hieroc′racy, government by priests.—Celestial hierarchy, the collective body of angels, grouped in three divisions and nine orders of different power and glory: (1) seraphim, cherubim, thrones; (2) dominations or dominions, virtues, powers; (3) principalities, archangels, angels. [Gr.hierarchēs—hieros, sacred,archein, to rule.]
Hieratic, hī-ėr-at′ik,adj.sacred: relating to priests, applying to a certain kind of ancient Egyptian writing, which consisted of abridged forms of hieroglyphics; also to certain styles in art. [L.hieraticus—Gr.hieratikos—hieros, sacred.]