Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Herd?

\Herd\, a. Haired. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
\Herd\, n. [OE. herd, heord, AS. heord; akin to OHG. herta,G. herde, Icel. hj["o]r?, Sw. hjord, Dan. hiord, Goth. ha['i]rda; cf. Skr. [,c]ardha 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. Note: 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\, n. [OE. hirde, herde, heorde, AS. hirde, hyrde, heorde; akin to G. hirt, hirte, OHG. hirti, Icel. hir?ir, Sw. herde, Dan. hyrde, Goth. ha['i]rdeis. See 2d {Herd}.] One who herds or assembles domestic animals; a herdsman; -- much used in composition; as, a shepherd; a goatherd, and the like. --Chaucer.
\Herd\, v. 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\, v. t. To form or put into a herd.