Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Herd

Herd

(hẽrd)
,
Adj.
Haired.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Herd

(hẽrd)
,
Noun.
[OE.
herd
,
heord
, AS.
heord
; akin to OHG.
herta
, G.
herde
, Icel.
hjörð
, Sw.
hjord
, Dan.
hiord
, Goth.
haírda
; cf. Skr.
çardha
troop, host.]
1.
A number of beasts assembled together;
as, a
herd
of horses, oxen, cattle, camels, elephants, deer, or swine
; a particular stock or family of cattle.
The lowing
herd
wind slowly o’er the lea.
Gray.
☞ Herd is distinguished from flock, as being chiefly applied to the larger animals. A number of cattle, when driven to market, is called a drove.
2.
A crowd of low people; a rabble.
But far more numerous was the
herd
of such
Who think too little and who talk too much.
Dryden.
You can never interest the common
herd
in the abstract question.
Coleridge.
Herd's grass
(Bot.)
,
one of several species of grass, highly esteemed for hay. See under
Grass
.

Herd

,
Noun.
[OE.
hirde
,
herde
,
heorde
, AS.
hirde
,
hyrde
,
heorde
; akin to G.
hirt
,
hirte
, OHG.
hirti
, Icel.
hir
[GREEK]
ir
, Sw.
herde
, Dan.
hyrde
, Goth.
haírdeis
. See 2d
Herd
.]
One who herds or assembles domestic animals; a herdsman; – much used in composition;
as, a shep
herd
; a goat
herd
, and the like.
Chaucer.

Herd

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Herded
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Herding
.]
[See 2d
Herd
.]
1.
To unite or associate in a herd; to feed or run together, or in company;
as, sheep
herd
on many hills
.
2.
To associate; to ally one's self with, or place one's self among, a group or company.
I'll
herd
among his friends, and seem
One of the number.
Addison.
3.
To act as a herdsman or a shepherd.
[Scot.]

Herd

,
Verb.
T.
To form or put into a herd.

Webster 1828 Edition

Herd

HERD

, n.
1.
A collection or assemblage; applied to beasts when feeding or driven together. We say, a herd of horses, oxen, cattle, camels, elephants, bucks, harts,and in Scripture, a herd of swine. But we say, a flock of sheep, goats, or birds. A number of cattle going to market is called a drove.
2.
A company of men or people, in contempt or detestation; a crowd; a rabble; as a vulgar herd.

HERD

,
Noun.
A keeper of cattle; used by Spenser, and still used in Scotland, but in English now seldom or never used, except in composition, as a shepherd, a goatherd, a swineherd.

HERD

,
Verb.
I.
To unite or associate, as beasts; to feed or run in collections. Most kinds of beasts manifest a disposition to herd.
1.
To associate; to unite in companies customarily.
2.
To associate; to become one of a number or party.

HERD

,
Verb.
T.
To form or put into a herd.

Similar Results