Southey.
Her"it*or (?), n. [Cf. LL. her&?;ator, fr. L. heres an heir.] A
proprietor or landholder in a parish. [Scot.]
Herl (?), n. (Zoˆl.) Same as Harl, 2.
Her"ling, Hir"ling (&?;), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoˆl.) The young of
the sea trout. [Prov. Eng.]
||Her"ma (?), n.; pl. HermÊ (#). [L.] See Hermes, 2.
Her*maph`ro*de"i*ty (?), n. Hermaphrodism. B. Jonson.
Her*maph"ro*dism (?), n. [Cf. F. hermaphrodisme.] (Biol.) See
Hermaphroditism.
Her*maph"ro*dite (?), n. [L. hermaphroditus, Gr. &?;, so called from
the mythical story that Hermaphroditus, son of Hermes and Aphrodite,
when bathing, became joined in one body with Salmacis, the nymph of a
fountain in Caria: cf. F. hermaphrodite.] (Biol.) An individual which
has the attributes of both male and female, or which unites in itself
the two sexes; an animal or plant having the parts of generation of
both sexes, as when a flower contains both the stamens and pistil
within the same calyx, or on the same receptacle. In some cases
reproduction may take place without the union of the distinct
individuals. In the animal kingdom true hermaphrodites are found only
among the invertebrates. See Illust. in Appendix, under Helminths.
Her*maph"ro*dite, a. Including, or being of, both sexes; as, an
hermaphrodite animal or flower.
Hermaphrodite brig. (Naut.) See under Brig. Totten.
{ Her*maph`ro*dit"ic (?), Her*maph`ro*dit"ic*al (?), } a. (Biol.)
Partaking of the characteristics of both sexes; characterized by
hermaphroditism. -- Her*maph`ro*dit"ic*al*ly, adv.
Her*maph"ro*dit*ism (?), n. (Biol.) The union of the two sexes in the
same individual, or the combination of some of their characteristics or
organs in one individual.
{ Her`me*neu"tic (?), Her`me*neu"tic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to
interpret: cf. F. hermÈneutique.] Unfolding the signification; of or
pertaining to interpretation; exegetical; explanatory; as, hermeneutic
theology, or the art of expounding the Scriptures; a hermeneutic
phrase.
Her`me*neu"tic*al*ly, adv. According to the principles of
interpretation; as, a verse of Scripture was examined hermeneutically.
Her`me*neu"tics (?), n. [Gr. &?; (sc. &?;).] The science of
interpretation and explanation; exegesis; esp., that branch of theology
which defines the laws whereby the meaning of the Scriptures is to be
ascertained. Schaff- Herzog Encyc.
Her"mes (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] 1. (Myth.) See Mercury.
Hermes Trismegistus [Gr. 'Ermh^s trisme`gistos, lit., Hermes thrice
greatest] was a late name of Hermes, especially as identified with the
Egyptian god Thoth. He was the fabled inventor of astrology and
alchemy.
2. (ArchÊology) Originally, a boundary stone dedicated to Hermes as the
god of boundaries, and therefore bearing in some cases a head, or head
and shoulders, placed upon a quadrangular pillar whose height is that
of the body belonging to the head, sometimes having feet or other parts
of the body sculptured upon it. These figures, though often
representing Hermes, were used for other divinities, and even, in later
times, for portraits of human beings. Called also herma. See Terminal
statue, under Terminal.
{ Her*met"ic (?), Her*met"ic*al (?), } a. [F. hermÈtique. See Note
under Hermes, 1.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or taught by, Hermes
Trismegistus; as, hermetic philosophy. Hence: Alchemical; chemic.
"Delusions of the hermetic art." Burke.
The alchemists, as the people were called who tried to make gold,
considered themselves followers of Hermes, and often called
themselves Hermetic philosophers.
A. B. Buckley.
2. Of or pertaining to the system which explains the causes of diseases
and the operations of medicine on the principles of the hermetic
philosophy, and which made much use, as a remedy, of an alkali and an
acid; as, hermetic medicine.
3. Made perfectly close or air-tight by fusion, so that no gas or
spirit can enter or escape; as, an hermetic seal. See Note under
Hermetically.
Hermetic art, alchemy. -- Hermetic books. (a) Books of the Egyptians,
which treat of astrology. (b) Books which treat of universal
principles, of the nature and orders of celestial beings, of medicine,
and other topics.
Her*met"ic*al*ly, adv. 1. In an hermetical manner; chemically. Boyle.