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Webster 1913 Edition


Shepherd

Shep′herd

,
Noun.
[OE.
schepherde
,
schephirde
, AS.
sceáphyrde
;
sceáp
sheep +
hyrde
,
hirde
,
heorde
, a herd, a guardian. See
Sheep
, and
Herd
.]
1.
A man employed in tending, feeding, and guarding sheep, esp. a flock grazing at large.
2.
The pastor of a church; one with the religious guidance of others.
Shepherd bird
(Zool.)
,
the crested screamer. See
Screamer
.
Shepherd dog
(Zool.)
,
a breed of dogs used largely for the herding and care of sheep. There are several kinds, as the collie, or Scotch shepherd dog, and the English shepherd dog. Called also
shepherd’s dog
.
Shepherd dog
,
a name of Pan.
Keats.
Shepherd kings
,
the chiefs of a nomadic people who invaded Egypt from the East in the traditional period, and conquered it, at least in part. They were expelled after about five hundred years, and attempts have been made to connect their expulsion with narrative in the book of Exodus.
Shepherd's club
(Bot.)
,
the common mullein. See
Mullein
.
Shepherd's crook
,
a long staff having the end curved so as to form a large hook, – used by shepherds.
Shepherd's needle
(Bot.)
,
the lady's comb.
Shepherd's plaid
,
a kind of woolen cloth of a checkered black and white pattern.
Shephered spider
(Zool.)
,
a daddy longlegs, or harvestman.
Shepherd's pouch
, or
Shepherd's purse
(Bot.)
,
an annual cruciferous plant (
Capsella Bursapastoris
) bearing small white flowers and pouchlike pods. See Illust. of
Silicle
.
Shepherd's rod
, or
Shepherd's staff
(Bot.)
,
the small teasel.

Shep′herd

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Shepherded
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Shepherding
.]
To tend as a shepherd; to guard, herd, lead, or drive, as a shepherd.
[Poetic]
White, fleecy clouds . . .
Shepherded
by the slow, unwilling wind.
Shelley.

Webster 1828 Edition


Shepherd

SHEP'HERD

, n.
1. A man employed in tending, feeding and gaurding sheep in the pasture.
2. A swain; a rural lover.
3. The pastor of a parish, church or congregation; a minister of the gospel who superintends a church or parish, and gived instruction in spiritual things. God and Christ are in Scripture dinominated Shepherds, as they lead, protect and govern their people, and provide for their wilfare.

Definition 2024


Shepherd

Shepherd

See also: shepherd

English

Alternative forms

Proper noun

Shepherd

  1. An English occupational surname derived from shepherd.
  2. A male given name

See also

shepherd

shepherd

See also: Shepherd

English

Noun

shepherd (plural shepherds, feminine shepherdess)

  1. A person who tends sheep, especially a grazing flock.
    • 1906, Stanley J[ohn] Weyman, chapter I, in Chippinge Borough, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co., OCLC 580270828:
      It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street. He wore shepherd's plaid trousers and the swallow-tail coat of the day, with a figured muslin cravat wound about his wide-spread collar.
  2. (figuratively) Someone who watches over, looks after, or guides somebody.
  3. (figuratively) The pastor of a church; one who guides others in religion.

Synonyms

Coordinate terms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Verb

shepherd (third-person singular simple present shepherds, present participle shepherding, simple past and past participle shepherded)

  1. To watch over; to guide
  2. (Australian rules football) For a player to obstruct an opponent from getting to the ball, either when a teammate has it or is going for it, or if the ball is about to bounce through the goal or out of bounds.

Translations