Part 37

HEAD, hed, _n._ the uppermost or foremost part of an animal's body: the brain: the understanding: a chief or leader: the place of honour or command: the front or top of anything: an individual animal or person: a topic or chief point of a discourse: a title, heading: the source or spring: height of the source of water: highest point of anything: culmination: a cape: strength: a froth on beer, porter, &c., when poured into a glass.--_v.t._ to act as a head to, to lead or govern: to go in front of: to commence: to check: (_naut._) to be contrary: (_obs._) to behead.--_v.i._ to grow to a head: to originate: to go head foremost.--_n._ HEAD'ACHE, an internal pain in the head.--_adj._ HEAD'ACHY, afflicted with headaches.--_ns._ HEAD'BAND, a band or fillet for the head: the band at each end of a book: a thin slip of iron on the tympan of a printing-press; HEAD'-BLOCK, in a sawmill carriage, a cross-block on which the head of the log rests: a piece of wood in a carriage, connected with the spring and the perches, and joining the fore-gear and the hind-gear; HEAD'-BOARD, a board placed at the head of anything, esp. a bedstead; HEAD'-BOOM, a jib-boom or a flying jib-boom; HEAD'BOR'OUGH, an old term for the head of a borough, the chief of a frank pledge, tithing, or decennary; HEAD'-BOY, the senior boy in a public school; HEAD'CHAIR, a high-backed chair with a rest for the head; HEAD'-CHEESE, pork-cheese, brawn; HEAD'-CHUTE, a canvas tube used to convey refuse matter from a ship's bows down to the water; HEAD'-CLOTH, a piece of cloth covering the head, wound round a turban, &c.; HEAD'-DRESS, an ornamental dress or covering for the head, worn by women.--_p.adj._ HEAD'ED, having a head: (_Shak._) come to a head.--_ns._ HEAD'ER, one who puts a head on something: a dive, head foremost, into water: a brick laid lengthwise along the thickness of a wall, serving as a bond: a heavy stone extending through the thickness of a wall; HEAD'-FAST, a rope at the bows of a ship used to fasten it to a wharf, &c.; HEAD'-FRAME, the structure over a mine-shaft supporting the head-gear or winding machinery; HEAD'-GEAR, gear, covering, or ornament of the head; HEAD'-HUNT'ING, the practice among the Dyaks of Borneo, &c., of making raids to procure human heads for trophies, &c.--_adv._ HEAD'ILY.--_ns._ HEAD'INESS; HEAD'ING, the act of furnishing with a head; that which stands at the head: material forming a head; HEAD'LAND, a point of land running out into the sea: a cape.--_adj._ HEAD'LESS, without a head.--_ns._ HEAD'-LIGHT, a light carried in front of a vessel, locomotive, or vehicle, as a signal, or for light; HEAD'-LINE, the line at the head or top of a page containing the folio or number of the page: (_pl._) the sails and ropes next the yards (_naut._).--_adv._ HEAD'LONG, with the head foremost or first: without thought, rashly: precipitately.--_adj._ rash: precipitous, steep.--_adj._ HEAD'-LUGGED (_Shak._), lugged or dragged along by the head.--_ns._ HEAD'-MAN, a chief, a leader; HEAD'MARK, a characteristic peculiar to a certain class; HEAD'-MAS'TER, the principal master of a school; HEAD'-MOLD, the skull proper: (_archit._) a moulding round or over the head of a door, &c.; HEAD'-MONEY, a tax counted per head: a reward by the head for persons captured at sea, &c.: a reward for a proscribed outlaw's head.--_adj._ HEAD'MOST, most advanced, or forward.--_ns._ HEAD'-NOTE, a note placed at the head of a chapter or page, esp. a condensed statement of points of law involved introductory to the report of a legal decision; HEAD'PIECE, a helmet: a hat: head, intelligence: (_print._) a decorative engraving placed at the top of the first page of a volume, and at the beginning of books, chapters, &c.; HEAD'-PUMP, a small pump at a ship's bows to pump up sea-water for washing decks.--_n.pl._ HEAD'QUARTERS, the quarters or residence of a commander-in-chief or general.--_ns._ HEAD'-RACE, the race which brings the water to a water-wheel; HEAD'-REACH, the distance to windward made by a vessel while tacking.--_v.i._ to shoot ahead, in tacking.--_ns._ HEAD'-REST, a support for the head, esp. the adjustable apparatus of the barber's chair, and that used by the photographer to steady the sitter's head; HEAD'-RING, a palm-leaf ornament worn by Kaffir men in their hair after marriage; HEAD'-SHAKE, a significant shake or motion of the head; HEAD'-SHIP, the office of a head or chief authority: dignity; HEADS'MAN, a man who cuts off heads: an executioner; HEAD'STALL, the part of a bridle round the head; HEAD'-ST[=A]'TION, the dwelling-house, &c., on an Australian sheep or cattle station; HEAD'-STICK (_print._), a straight piece of furniture placed at the head of a form, between the chase and the type; HEAD'STONE, the principal stone of a building: the corner-stone: the stone at the head of a grave; HEAD'-STREAM, the highest of the streams which combine to form a river.--_adj._ HEAD'STRONG, self-willed: obstinate.--_ns._ HEAD'-TIRE, a head-dress; HEAD'-WA'TER, the highest part of a stream, before receiving affluents; HEAD'WAY, motion ahead, esp. of a ship; HEAD'-WIND, a wind blowing right against a ship's head; HEAD'-WORD, a title word or heading usually in distinctive type; HEAD'-WORK, intellectual labour.--_adj._ HEAD'Y, affecting the head or the brain: intoxicating: inflamed: rash: violent.--HEAD AND EARS, with the whole person: completely; HEAD AND SHOULDERS, very much, as if taller by a head and shoulders: violently; HEAD FOREMOST, with the head first, esp. of falling from a height; HEAD OR TAIL, the side of a coin with the sovereign's head, or the reverse: a phrase used in tossing up a coin to decide a point ('to make neither head nor tail of anything'--to be unable to understand it); HEAD OVER HEELS, in a somersault.--COME TO A HEAD, to reach a climax; EAT ONE'S HEAD OFF, to be consumed with mortification; GO BY THE HEAD, to sink head foremost; HAVE A HEAD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS, to have brains or ability; HEAD OFF, to prevent by some counteraction; LOSE ONE'S HEAD, to become very much excited: to lose presence of mind; MAKE HEAD AGAINST, to resist successfully: to advance; OFF ONE'S HEAD, demented, crazy; OUT OF ONE'S OWN HEAD, spontaneously; OVER HEAD AND EARS, deeply engrossed; TURN A PERSON'S HEAD (see TURN). [A.S. _h['e]afod_, Dut. _hoofd_, Ger. _haupt_.]

HEAL, h[=e]l, _v.t._ to make whole and healthy: to cure: to remove or subdue what is evil: to restore to soundness, to remedy, repair.--_v.i._ to grow sound:--_pr.p._ heal'ing; _pa.p._ healed.--_adj._ HEAL'ABLE.--_ns._ HEAL'ER; HEAL'ING, the act or process by which anything is healed or cured: the power to heal.--_adj._ tending to cure, mild.--_adv._ HEAL'INGLY.--_adj._ HEAL'SOME (_Scot._), wholesome. [A.S. _h['ae]lan_, _h['a]l_, whole; cf. Ger. _heil_, Dut. _heel_, Ice. _heill_; also Eng. _hail_, _hale_, _whole_.]

HEALD, h[=e]ld, _n._ the same as Heddle (q.v.).

HEALTH, helth, _n._ wholeness or soundness of body: general state of the body, as in 'ill health,' 'good health,' soundness and vigour of mind: a toast, as 'to drink one's health'--to drink to the health of: (_B._) salvation, or divine favour.--_adj._ HEALTH'FUL, full of or enjoying health: indicating health: wholesome: salutary.--_adv._ HEALTH'FULLY.--_n._ HEALTH'FULNESS.--_adv._ HEALTH'ILY.--_n._ HEALTH'INESS.--_adj._ HEALTH'LESS, sickly, ailing.--_ns._ HEALTH'LESSNESS; HEALTH'-RESORT', a place to which people go for the good of their health.--_adjs._ HEALTH'SOME (_Shak._), healthy, wholesome; HEALTH'Y, in a state of good health: conducive to health: sound in body or mind: vigorous. [A.S. _haelth_--_h['a]l_, whole.]

HEAP, h[=e]p, _n._ a pile or mass heaved or thrown together: a great number of things, a great deal, a collection: (_B._) a ruin.--_v.t._ to throw in a heap or pile: to amass: to pile above the top:--_pr.p._ heap'ing; _pa.p._ heaped.--_adj._ HEAP'Y, full of heaps.--A HEAP, a good many; KNOCK ALL OF A HEAP, to confound utterly. [A.S. _h['e]ap_: Ice. _h['o]pr_, Ger. _haufe_, Dut. _hoop_.]

HEAR, h[=e]r, _v.t._ to perceive by the ear: to comprehend: to listen to: to grant or obey: to answer favourably: to attend to: to try judicially: to be a hearer of: (_Milt._) to be called.--_v.i._ to have the sense of hearing: to listen: to be told:--_pr.p._ hear'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ heard (h[.e]rd).--_ns._ HEAR'ER; HEAR'ING, act of perceiving by the ear: the sense of perceiving sound: opportunity to be heard: audience: judicial investigation and hearing of arguments, esp. of trial without a jury: reach of the ear: (_coll._) a scolding; HEAR'SAY, common talk: rumour: report.--_adj._ of or pertaining to a report given by others.--_v.i._ to repeat rumours.--HEAR, HEAR! an exclamation of approval, uttered by the hearers of a speech; HEARSAY EVIDENCE, evidence at second hand; HEAR TELL OF, to hear some one speak of; I WILL NOT HEAR OF, I will not listen to the notion or proposal. [A.S. _h['y]ran_; Dut. _hooren_, Ice. _heyra_, Ger. _h[:o]ren_, Goth. _hausjan_.]

HEARKEN, h[:a]rk'n, _v.i._ to hear attentively: to listen. [A.S. _h['y]rcnian_, from _h['y]ran_, to hear; Ger. _horchen_.]

HEARSAL, h[.e]r'sal, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as REHEARSAL.

HEARSE, h[.e]rs, _n._ a carriage in which the dead are conveyed to the grave: (_orig._) a triangular framework for holding candles at a church service, and esp. at a funeral service.--_v.t._ to put on or in a hearse.--_n._ HEARSE'-CLOTH, a pall for a corpse laid on a bier.--_adj._ HEARSE'-LIKE, suitable to a funeral, mournful. [O. Fr. _herse_ (It. _erpice_)--L. _hirpicem_, accus. of _hirpex_, a harrow.]

HEART, h[:a]rt, _n._ the organ in animal systems that circulates the blood: the vital, inner, or chief part of anything: the seat of the affections, &c., esp. love: the affections: courage: vigour: secret meaning or design: that which resembles a heart: a person, esp. as implying courage or affectionateness--a term of endearment or encouragement: anything heart-shaped, esp. that one of the four suits in a pack of cards bearing a heart in red.--_v.t._ to encourage, hearten.--_v.i._ to form a compact head, as a plant.--_ns._ HEART'ACHE, sorrow: anguish; HEART'-BEAT, a pulsation of the heart: a throb of emotion, a thought; HEART'-BLOOD, blood of the heart: life, essence; HEART'-BOND, in masonry, a bond in which one header overlaps two others; HEART'-BREAK, a sorrow or grief.--_v.t._ to break the heart of.--_n._ HEART'-BREAK'ER, a flirt: a curl, love-lock.--_adjs._ HEART'-BREAK'ING, crushing with grief or sorrow; HEART'-BROK'EN, intensely afflicted or grieved.--_ns._ HEART'BURN, a burning, acrid feeling, said to be due to the irritation of the upper end of the stomach by the fumes of its acrid contents: cardialgia: HEART'BURNING, discontent: secret enmity.--_adj._ HEART'-DEAR (_Shak._), dear to the heart, sincerely beloved.--_n._ HEART'-DISEASE', any morbid condition of the heart, whether of the various tissues composing it, or of the nervous arrangements governing it.--_adjs._ HEART'-EAS'ING, giving peace to the mind; HEART'ED, having a heart of a specified kind (hard-hearted, &c.): seated or fixed in the heart, laid up in the heart.--_v.t._ HEART'EN, to encourage, stimulate: to add strength to.--_adjs._ HEART'-FELT, felt deeply: sincere; HEART'FREE, having the affections free or disengaged.--_ns._ HEART'-GRIEF, grief or affliction of the heart; HEART'-HEAV'INESS, depression of spirits.--_adv._ HEART'ILY, in a hearty manner: cordially: eagerly.--_n._ HEART'INESS, the state or quality of being hearty.--_adj._ HEART'LESS, without heart, courage, or feeling.--_adv._ HEART'LESSLY.--_ns._ HEART'LESSNESS; HEART'LET, a little heart.--_interj._ HEART'LING (_Shak._), little heart, used in a minced oath.--_n._ HEART'-QUAKE, trembling, fear.--_adjs._ HEART'-REND'ING, deeply afflictive: agonising; HEART'-ROB'BING (_Spens._), stealing the affections: blissful.--_ns._ HEART'-ROT, a disease producing decay in the hearts of trees, caused by the mycelia of various fungi; HEART'S'-EASE, a common name for the pansy, a species of violet, an infusion of which was once thought to ease the love-sick heart; HEART'-SEED, a general name of plants of genus _Cardiospermum_, esp. the U.S. balloon-vine; HEART'-SERV'ICE, sincere devotion, as opposed to _Eye-service_.--_adjs._ HEART'-SHAPED, shaped like the human heart; HEART'-SICK, pained in mind: depressed.--_n._ HEART'-SICK'NESS.--_adjs._ HEART'SOME, exhilarating: merry; HEART'-SORE, caused by pain at the heart.--_n._ (_Spens._) grief.--_n._ HEART'-SPOON, the depression in the breastbone: the breastbone.--_adj._ HEART'-STIR'RING, arousing the heart, exhilarating.--_n._ HEART'-STRING, a nerve or tendon supposed to brace and sustain the heart: (_pl._) affections.--_adjs._ HEART'-STRUCK (_Shak._), driven to the heart, deeply fixed in the mind: (_Milt._) shocked, dismayed; HEART'-SWELL'ING (_Spens._), rankling in the heart or mind.--_ns._ HEART'-WHEEL, HEART'-CAM, a form of cam-wheel used for converting uniform rotary motion into uniform reciprocating motion.--_adj._ HEART'-WHOLE, whole at heart: unmoved in the affections or spirits.--_n._ HEART'-WOOD, the hard inner wood of a tree--also called _Duramen_.--_adjs._ HEART'Y, full of, or proceeding from, the heart: warm: genuine: strong: healthy; HEART'Y-HALE (_Spens._), wholesome or good for the heart.--HEART-AND-HAND, HEART-AND-SOUL, with complete heartiness, with complete devotion to a cause; HEART OF HEARTS, the inmost heart: deepest affections; HEART OF OAK, a brave, resolute heart.--AFTER MY OWN HEART, to my own liking; AT HEART, in real character: substantially; BREAK THE HEART, to die of grief or disappointment: to cause deep grief to any one; BY HEART, by rote: in the memory; EAT ONE'S HEART (see EAT); FIND IN ONE'S HEART, to be willing or ready to do something; FOR ONE'S HEART, for one's life; GET, HAVE, BY HEART, to commit to memory, or to hold in one's memory; HAVE AT HEART, to wish earnestly for: to hold in dear esteem; HAVE ONE'S HEART IN ONE'S BOOTS, MOUTH, to be in a state of terror; LAY, TAKE, TO HEART, to set one's mind strongly upon: to be deeply moved by something; OUT OF HEART, in low spirits; SET THE HEART AT REST, to become easy in mind; SET THE HEART UPON, to desire earnestly; SPEAK TO THE HEART (_B._), to comfort, encourage; TAKE HEART, to be encouraged; TAKE HEART OF GRACE (see GRACE); TAKE TO HEART, to be deeply pained at anything; WEAR THE HEART UPON THE SLEEVE, to show the feelings, &c., openly; WITH ALL MY HEART, most willingly. [A.S. _heorte_; Dut. _hart_, Ger. _herz_; cog. with L. _cor_, _cordis_, Gr. _kardia_.]

HEARTH, h[:a]rth, _n._ the part of the floor on which the fire is made: the fireside: the house itself: the home-circle: the lowest part of a blast-furnace: a brazier, chafing-dish, or fire-box.--_ns._ HEARTH'-MON'EY, HEARTH'-PENN'Y, HEARTH'-TAX, a tax in England, formerly laid upon hearths; HEARTH'-RUG, a rug used for covering the hearth-stone; HEARTH'-STONE, a stone forming a hearth, the fireside: a soft stone used for whitening hearths, doorsteps, &c. [A.S. _heordh_; Dut. _haard_, Ger. _herd_.]

HEAST, h[=e]st, _n._ (_Spens._) command--same as Hest (q.v.).

HEAT, h[=e]t, _n._ that which excites the sensation of warmth: sensation of warmth: a heating: exposure to intense heat: a warm temperature: the warmest period, as the heat of the day: indication of warmth, flush, redness: vehemence, passion; sexual excitement, or its period, esp. of the female, corresponding to _rut_ in the male: a single course in a race: animation.--_v.t._ to make hot: to agitate.--_v.i._ to become hot:--_pr.p._ heat'ing; _pa.p._ heat'ed.--_n._ HEAT'-AP'OPLEXY, sunstroke.--_p.adj._ HEAT'ED.--_ns._ HEAT'-EN'GINE, an engine which transforms heat into mechanical work; HEAT'ER, one who, or that which, heats: a piece of cast-iron heated and then placed in a hollow flat-iron, &c.--_adjs_. HEAT'ER-SHAPED, triangular, like the common heater; HEAT'ING, causing or imparting heat.--_ns._ HEAT'-SPOT, a spot on the surface of the body where a sensation of heat is felt; HEAT'-[=U]'NIT, amount of heat required to raise a pound of water one degree.--LATENT HEAT, the quantity of heat absorbed when bodies pass from the solid into the liquid, or from the liquid into the gaseous, state; MECHANICAL EQUIVALENT OF HEAT, the relation between heat and work--viz. the amount of molecular energy required to produce one heat-unit; SPECIFIC HEAT, the number of heat-units necessary to raise the unit of mass of a given substance one degree in temperature. [A.S. _h['ae]to_, heat, _h['a]t_, hot; Ger. _hitze_.]

HEATH, h[=e]th, _n._ a barren open country: any shrub of genus _Erica_, or its congener _Calluna_, of the heath family (_Ericaceae_), a hardy evergreen under-shrub.--_ns._ HEATH'-BELL, same as HEATHER-BELL; HEATH'-COCK, a large bird which frequents heaths: the black grouse:--_fem._ HEATH'-HEN; HEATH'-POULT, the heath-bird, esp. the female or young.--_adj._ HEATH'Y, abounding with heath. [A.S. _h['ae]dh_; Ger. _heide_, Goth. _haithi_, a waste.]

HEATHEN, h[=e]'_th_n, _n._ an inhabitant of an unchristian country, one neither Christian, Jewish, nor Mohammedan: (_B._) the Gentiles: a pagan: an irreligious person.--_adj._ pagan, irreligious.--_n._ HEA'THENDOM, the condition of a heathen: those regions of the world where heathenism prevails.--_v.t._ HEA'THENISE, to make heathen or heathenish.--_adj._ HEA'THENISH, relating to the heathen: rude: uncivilised: cruel.--_adv._ HEA'THENISHLY.--_ns._ HEA'THENISHNESS; HEA'THENISM, the religious system of the heathens: paganism: barbarism; HEA'THENRY, heathenism: heathendom. [A.S. _h['ae]dhen_, a heathen; Dut. _heiden_.]

HEATHER, he_th_'[.e]r, _n._ the Scotch name for the native species of the Linnaean genus _Erica_, called in the north of England Ling, esp. _Erica_ (now _Calluna_) _vulgaris_, Common Heather, and _Erica cinerea_, Fine-leaved Heath or Lesser Bell-heather.--_adj._ of the colour of heather.--_ns._ HEATH'ER-ALE, a famous liquor traditionally brewed in Scotland from the bells of heather; HEATH'ER-BELL, a name given to _Erica tetralix_ (or specially to its blossom), and sometimes also to _Erica cinerea_.--_adj._ HEATH'ERY, of or pertaining to heather.--SET THE HEATHER ON FIRE, to create a disturbance; TAKE TO THE HEATHER, to become an outlaw. [Usually derived from _heath_.]

HEAUME, h[=o]m, _n._ (_arch._) a massive helmet.

HEAVE, h[=e]v, _v.t._ to lift up: to throw upward: to draw in any direction, as by a windlass: to cause to swell: to force from the breast: (_geol._) to move away or displace (a vein or stratum).--_v.i._ to be raised: to rise and fall: to try to vomit:--_pr.p._ heav'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ heaved or (_naut._) h[=o]ve.--_n._ an effort upward: a throw: a swelling: an effort to vomit: broken wind in horses.--_ns._ HEAVE'-OFF'ERING, a voluntary Jewish offering lifted up before the Lord by the priest; HEAV'ER, one who, or that which, heaves; HEAVES, a disease in horses; HEAVE'-SHOUL'DER, the shoulder of an animal elevated in sacrifice; HEAV'ING, a rising: swell: (_Shak._) panting.--HEAVE HO! an exclamation used by sailors in putting forth exertion, as in heaving the anchor; HEAVE IN SIGHT, to come into view; HEAVE TO, to bring a vessel to a stand-still, to make her lie to. [A.S. _hebban_, pa.t. _h['o]f_, pa.p. _hafen_; Ger. _heben_.]

HEAVEN, hev'n, _n._ the arch of sky overhanging the earth: the air: a zone or region: a very great and indefinite height: the dwelling-place of the Deity and the blessed: the Deity as inhabiting heaven: supreme happiness.--_adjs._ HEAV'EN-BORN, descended from heaven; HEAV'EN-BRED (_Shak._), bred or produced in heaven; HEAV'EN-DIRECT'ED, pointing to the sky: divinely guided; HEAV'EN-FALL'EN (_Milt._), fallen from heaven, having rebelled against God; HEAV'EN-GIFT'ED, granted by heaven; HEAV'EN-KISS'ING (_Shak._), kissing or touching, as it were, the sky.--_n._ HEAV'ENLINESS.--_adj._ HEAV'ENLY, of or inhabiting heaven: celestial: pure: supremely blessed: very excellent.--_adv._ in a manner like that of heaven: by the influence of heaven.--_adj._ HEAV'ENLY-MIND'ED, having the mind placed upon heavenly things: pure.--_n._ HEAV'ENLY-MIND'EDNESS.--_advs._ HEAV'ENWARD, HEAV'ENWARDS, toward or in the direction of heaven.--HEAVEN OF HEAVENS (_B._), the highest of the heavens, the abode and seat of God; IN THE SEVENTH HEAVEN, in a state of the most exalted happiness--from the system of the Cabbalists, who divided the heavens into seven in an ascending scale of happiness up to the abode of God. [A.S. _heofon_; not to be conn. with _heave_.]

HEAVY, hev'i, _adj_. weighty: not easy to bear: oppressive: afflicted: inactive: dull, lacking brightness and interest: inclined to slumber: violent: loud: not easily digested, as food: miry, as soil: having strength, as liquor: dark with clouds: gloomy: expensive: (_B._) sad: (_theat._) pertaining to the representation of grave or serious parts.--_adv._ HEAV'ILY.--_n._ HEAV'INESS.--_adjs._ HEAV'Y-ARMED, bearing heavy armour or arms; HEAV'Y-HAND'ED, clumsy, awkward: oppressive; HEAV'Y-HEAD'ED, having a heavy or large head: dull, stupid, drowsy; HEAV'Y-HEART'ED, weighed down with grief; HEAV'Y-L[=A]D'EN, laden with a heavy burden.--_n._ HEAV'Y-SPAR, native sulphate of barium, barytes.--HEAVY MARCHING ORDER, the condition of troops fully equipped for field service; HEAVY METAL, guns or shot of large size: great influence or power; HEAVY-WEIGHT, one beyond the average weight, esp. in sporting phrase, one placed highest in the ascending scale, _feather-weight_, _light-weight_, _middle-weight_, _heavy-weight_; HEAVY WET, a drink of strong ale or ale and porter mixed.--THE HEAVIES (_mil._), the heavy cavalry: those who play heavy parts. [A.S. _hefig_--_hebban_, to heave; Old High Ger. _heb[^i]g_.]

HEBDOMADAL, heb-dom'a-dal, _adj._ occurring every seven days: weekly--also HEBDOM'ADARY.--_n._ HEB'DOMAD, the number seven, a group of seven things, a week: in some Gnostic systems, a group of superhuman beings, angels, or divine emanations, the sphere of the Demiurge lower than the ogdoad--from the idea of the seven planets.--_adv._ HEBDOM'ADALLY, from week to week.--_n._ HEBDOM'ADARY, a member of a chapter or convent who officiates in the choir, &c., on a certain week.--HEBDOMADAL COUNCIL, a board which practically manages the business of the university of Oxford, usually meeting weekly. [L. _hebdomadalis_--Gr. _hebdomas_, a period of seven days--_hepta_, seven.]

HEBE, h[=e]'b[=e], _n._ a personification of youth and spring, from the name of the daughter of Zeus and Hera, who was cup-bearer of Olympus.

HEBEN, heb'n, _n._ and _adj._ (_Spens._) ebony.

HEBENON, heb'e-non, _n._ (_Shak._) a poisonous juice. [Perh. _ebony_, or a corr. of _henbane_.]

HEBETATE, heb'e-t[=a]t, _v.t._ to make dull or blunt.--_adj._ HEB'ETANT, making dull.--_ns._ HEBET[=A]'TION, HEB'ET[=U]DE; HEBETUDINOS'ITY.--_adj._ HEBET[=U]'DINOUS. [L. _hebet[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_hebes_, blunt.]

HEBREW, h[=e]'br[=oo], _n._ one of the descendants of Abraham, who emigrated from beyond the Euphrates into Palestine: an Israelite, a Jew: the language of the Hebrews (_fem._ H[=E]'BREWESS, _B._): (_coll._) unintelligible speech.--_adj._ relating to the Hebrews.--_adjs._ HEBR[=A]'IC, -AL, relating to the Hebrews or to their language.--_adv._ HEBR[=A]'ICALLY, after the manner of the Hebrew language: from right to left.--_n._ HEBR[=A]'ICISM.--_v.t._ H[=E]'BRAISE, to express as in Hebrew: to conform or incline to Hebrew ideals.--_ns._ H[=E]'BRAISER; H[=E]'BRAISM, a Hebrew idiom; H[=E]'BRAIST, one skilled in HEBREW.--_adjs._ HEBRAIST'IC, -AL, of or like Hebrew.--_adv._ HEBRAIST'ICALLY.--_n._ H[=E]'BREWISM. [O. Fr. _Ebreu_--L. _Hebraeus_--Gr. _Hebraios_--Heb. _`ibr[^i]_, lit. 'one from the other side (of the river).']

HEBRIDEAN, h[=e]-brid'[=e]-an, -i-an, _adj._ pertaining to the _Hebrides_--also HEBRID'IAN.--_n._ a native thereof.

HECATE, hek'a-t[=e], _n._ a mysterious goddess, in Hesiod having power over earth, heaven, and sea--afterwards identified with many other goddesses, her power above all displayed in the matter of ghosts and bogies. [L.,--Gr. _Hekat[=e]_--_hekas_, far.]

HECATOMB, hek'a-tom, _n._ among the Greeks and Romans, a sacrifice of a hundred oxen: a great public sacrifice: any large number of victims. [Gr. _hekatomb[=e]_--_hekaton_, a hundred, _bous_, an ox.]

HECATONTOME, hek'a-ton-t[=o]m, _n._ (_Milt._) a very large number of books. [Gr. _hekaton_, a hundred, _tomos_, a volume.]

HECH, heh, _interj._ (_Scot._) an exclamation of surprise.

HECHT, heht, Scotch form of _hight_, v.

HECK, hek, _n._ (_Scot._) a rack in a stable for hay, &c.: a grated contrivance for catching fish: a contrivance in a spinning-wheel, and also in a warping-mill, by which the yarn or thread is guided to the reels.--LIVE AT HECK AND MANGER, to be in very comfortable quarters. [A.S. _hec_, _haec_; Dut. _hek_.]

HECKLE, hek'l, _v.i._ to comb: to put a parliamentary candidate, or the like, through a series of embarrassing questions.--_n._ the same as HACK'LE, HATCH'EL.--_ns._ HECK'LE, the long shining feathers on a cock's neck, a feather ornament in the full-dress bonnets of Highland regiments; HECK'LER, one who torments a candidate with catching questions.

HECTARE, hek't[:a]r, _n._ a superficial measure=100 ares, 10,000 sq. metres, or nearly 2-1/2 acres (2.471). [Fr.,--Gr. _hekaton_, 100, L. _area_, area.]

HECTIC, -AL, hek'tik, -al, _adj._ pertaining to the constitution or habit of body: affected with hectic fever.--_n._ HEC'TIC, a habitual or remittent fever, usually associated with consumption.--_adj._ HEC'TOID, of a hectic appearance.--HECTIC FEVER, the name given to the fever which occurs in connection with certain wasting diseases of long duration. [Fr.,--Gr. _hektikos_, habitual--_hexis_, habit.]

HECTOGRAMME, hek'to-gram, _n._ a weight of 100 grammes, or nearly 1/4 lb. (3.527 ounces). [Fr.,--Gr. _hekaton_, 100, and _gramme_.]

HECTOGRAPH, hek'to-graf, _n._ a gelatine pad for receiving a copy and therefrom multiplying a writing or drawing.--_v.t._ to reproduce by means of this.--_adj._ HECTOGRAPH'IC. [Gr. _hekaton_, a hundred, _graph_--_graphein_, to write.]

HECTOLITRE, hek'to-lit'r, _n._ a unit of capacity of 100 litres, 22.01 imperial gallons.

HECTOMETRE, hek'to-m[=e]t-[.e]r, _n._ a unit of length equal to 100 metres, or about 1/16th (.0621) of a mile.

HECTOR, hek'tor, _n._ a bully, a street brawler: one who annoys.--_v.t._ to treat insolently: to annoy.--_v.i._ to play the bully.--_ns._ HEC'TORER; HEC'TORISM.--_adv._ HEC'TORLY.--_n._ HEC'TORSHIP. [_Hector_, the Trojan.]

HECTOSTERE, hek'to-st[=e]r, _n._ a measure of solidity of 100 cubic metres, 3531.56 Eng. cubic feet.

HEDDLE, hed'l, _n._ a series of vertical cords or wires, each having in the middle a loop (HEDD'LE-EYE) to receive a warp-thread, and passing round and between parallel bars.--_v.t._ to draw warp-threads through heddle-eyes. [An assumed A.S. _hefedl_, earlier form of _hefeld_.]