4 letter word starting with h

Words Parts of Speech Meaning/Definition/Similar Words
haaf noun The deepsea fishing for cod, ling, and tusk, off the Shetland Isles.
haak noun A sea fish. See Hake.
haar noun A fog; esp., a fog or mist with a chill wind.
hack noun A frame or grating of various kinds; as, a frame for drying bricks, fish, or cheese; a rack for feeding cattle; a grating in a mill race, etc., Unburned brick or tile, stacked up for drying., To cut irregulary, without skill or definite purpose; to notch; to mangle by repeated strokes of a cutting instrument; as, to hack a post., Fig.: To mangle in speaking., To cough faintly and frequently, or in a short, broken manner; as, a hacking cough., A notch; a cut., An implement for cutting a notch; a large pick used in breaking stone., A hacking; a catch in speaking; a short, broken cough., A kick on the shins., A horse, hackneyed or let out for common hire; also, a horse used in all kinds of work, or a saddle horse, as distinguished from hunting and carriage horses., A coach or carriage let for hire; particularly, a a coach with two seats inside facing each other; a hackney coach., A bookmaker who hires himself out for any sort of literary work; an overworked man; a drudge., A procuress., Hackneyed; hired; mercenary., To use as a hack; to let out for hire., To use frequently and indiscriminately, so as to render trite and commonplace., To be exposed or offered or to common use for hire; to turn prostitute., To live the life of a drudge or hack.
hade noun The descent of a hill., The inclination or deviation from the vertical of any mineral vein., To deviate from the vertical; — said of a vein, fault, or lode.
hadj noun The pilgrimage to Mecca, performed by Mohammedans.
haft noun A handle; that part of an instrument or vessel taken into the hand, and by which it is held and used; — said chiefly of a knife, sword, or dagger; the hilt., A dwelling., To set in, or furnish with, a haft; as, to haft a dagger.
haik noun A large piece of woolen or cotton cloth worn by Arabs as an outer garment.
hail noun Small roundish masses of ice precipitated from the clouds, where they are formed by the congelation of vapor. The separate masses or grains are called hailstones., To pour down particles of ice, or frozen vapors., To pour forcibly down, as hail., Healthy. See Hale (the preferable spelling)., To call loudly to, or after; to accost; to salute; to address., To name; to designate; to call., To declare, by hailing, the port from which a vessel sails or where she is registered; hence, to sail; to come; — used with from; as, the steamer hails from New York., To report as one’s home or the place from whence one comes; to come; — with from., An exclamation of respectful or reverent salutation, or, occasionally, of familiar greeting., A wish of health; a salutation; a loud call.
hair noun The collection or mass of filaments growing from the skin of an animal, and forming a covering for a part of the head or for any part or the whole of the body., One the above-mentioned filaments, consisting, in invertebrate animals, of a long, tubular part which is free and flexible, and a bulbous root imbedded in the skin., Hair (human or animal) used for various purposes; as, hair for stuffing cushions., A slender outgrowth from the chitinous cuticle of insects, spiders, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Such hairs are totally unlike those of vertebrates in structure, composition, and mode of growth., An outgrowth of the epidermis, consisting of one or of several cells, whether pointed, hooked, knobbed, or stellated. Internal hairs occur in the flower stalk of the yellow frog lily (Nuphar)., A spring device used in a hair-trigger firearm., A haircloth., Any very small distance, or degree; a hairbreadth.
haye noun The Egyptian asp or cobra (Naja haje.) It is related to the cobra of India, and like the latter has the power of inflating its neck into a hood. Its bite is very venomous. It is supposed to be the snake by means of whose bite Cleopatra committed suicide, and hence is sometimes called Cleopatra’s snake or asp. See Asp.
hake noun A drying shed, as for unburned tile., One of several species of marine gadoid fishes, of the genera Phycis, Merlucius, and allies. The common European hake is M. vulgaris; the American silver hake or whiting is M. bilinearis. Two American species (Phycis chuss and P. tenius) are important food fishes, and are also valued for their oil and sounds. Called also squirrel hake, and codling., To loiter; to sneak.
hale adjective Sound; entire; healthy; robust; not impaired; as, a hale body., Welfare., To pull; to drag; to haul.
half adjective Consisting of a moiety, or half; as, a half bushel; a half hour; a half dollar; a half view., Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect; as, a half dream; half knowledge., In an equal part or degree; in some pa/ appro/mating a half; partially; imperfectly; as, half-colored, half done, half-hearted, half persuaded, half conscious., Part; side; behalf., One of two equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided; — sometimes followed by of; as, a half of an apple., To halve. [Obs.] See Halve.
halk noun A nook; a corner.
hall noun A building or room of considerable size and stateliness, used for public purposes; as, Westminster Hall, in London., The chief room in a castle or manor house, and in early times the only public room, serving as the place of gathering for the lord’s family with the retainers and servants, also for cooking and eating. It was often contrasted with the bower, which was the private or sleeping apartment., A vestibule, entrance room, etc., in the more elaborated buildings of later times., Any corridor or passage in a building., A name given to many manor houses because the magistrate’s court was held in the hall of his mansion; a chief mansion house., A college in an English university (at Oxford, an unendowed college)., The apartment in which English university students dine in common; hence, the dinner itself; as, hall is at six o’clock., Cleared passageway in a crowd; — formerly an exclamation.
halm noun Same as Haulm.
halo noun A luminous circle, usually prismatically colored, round the sun or moon, and supposed to be caused by the refraction of light through crystals of ice in the atmosphere. Connected with halos there are often white bands, crosses, or arches, resulting from the same atmospheric conditions., A circle of light; especially, the bright ring represented in painting as surrounding the heads of saints and other holy persons; a glory; a nimbus., An ideal glory investing, or affecting one’s perception of, an object., A colored circle around a nipple; an areola., To form, or surround with, a halo; to encircle with, or as with, a halo.
halp imp. Helped.
hals noun The neck or throat.
halt 3d pers. sing. pres. of Hold, contraction for holdeth., A stop in marching or walking, or in any action; arrest of progress., To hold one’s self from proceeding; to hold up; to cease progress; to stop for a longer or shorter period; to come to a stop; to stand still., To stand in doubt whether to proceed, or what to do; to hesitate; to be uncertain., To cause to cease marching; to stop; as, the general halted his troops for refreshment., Halting or stopping in walking; lame., The act of limping; lameness., To walk lamely; to limp., To have an irregular rhythm; to be defective.
hame noun Home., One of the two curved pieces of wood or metal, in the harness of a draught horse, to which the traces are fastened. They are fitted upon the collar, or have pads fitting the horse’s neck attached to them.
hand noun That part of the fore limb below the forearm or wrist in man and monkeys, and the corresponding part in many other animals; manus; paw. See Manus., That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand, A limb of certain animals, as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey., An index or pointer on a dial; as, the hour or minute hand of a clock., A measure equal to a hand’s breadth, — four inches; a palm. Chiefly used in measuring the height of horses., Side; part; direction, either right or left., Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity., Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance., An agent; a servant, or laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty; a performer more or less skillful; as, a deck hand; a farm hand; an old hand at speaking., Handwriting; style of penmanship; as, a good, bad or running hand. Hence, a signature., Personal possession; ownership; hence, control; direction; management; — usually in the plural., Agency in transmission from one person to another; as, to buy at first hand, that is, from the producer, or when new; at second hand, that is, when no longer in the producer’s hand, or when not new., Rate; price., That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once, The quota of cards received from the dealer., A bundle of tobacco leaves tied together., The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim., To give, pass, or transmit with the hand; as, he handed them the letter., To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct; as, to hand a lady into a carriage., To manage; as, I hand my oar., To seize; to lay hands on., To pledge by the hand; to handfast., To furl; — said of a sail., To cooperate.
hung of Hang, imp. & p. p. of Hang.
hang verb i. To suspend; to fasten to some elevated point without support from below; — often used with up or out; as, to hang a coat on a hook; to hang up a sign; to hang out a banner., To fasten in a manner which will allow of free motion upon the point or points of suspension; — said of a pendulum, a swing, a door, gate, etc., To fit properly, as at a proper angle (a part of an implement that is swung in using), as a scythe to its snath, or an ax to its helve., To put to death by suspending by the neck; — a form of capital punishment; as, to hang a murderer., To cover, decorate, or furnish by hanging pictures trophies, drapery, and the like, or by covering with paper hangings; — said of a wall, a room, etc., To paste, as paper hangings, on the walls of a room., To hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner or position instead of erect; to droop; as, he hung his head in shame., To be suspended or fastened to some elevated point without support from below; to dangle; to float; to rest; to remain; to stay., To be fastened in such a manner as to allow of free motion on the point or points of suspension., To die or be put to death by suspension from the neck., To hold for support; to depend; to cling; — usually with on or upon; as, this question hangs on a single point., To be, or be like, a suspended weight., To hover; to impend; to appear threateningly; — usually with over; as, evils hang over the country., To lean or incline; to incline downward., To slope down; as, hanging grounds., To be undetermined or uncertain; to be in suspense; to linger; to be delayed., The manner in which one part or thing hangs upon, or is connected with, another; as, the hang of a scythe., Connection; arrangement; plan; as, the hang of a discourse., A sharp or steep declivity or slope.
hank noun A parcel consisting of two or more skeins of yarn or thread tied together., A rope or withe for fastening a gate., Hold; influence., A ring or eye of rope, wood, or iron, attached to the edge of a sail and running on a stay., To fasten with a rope, as a gate., To form into hanks.
hard superl. Not easily penetrated, cut, or separated into parts; not yielding to pressure; firm; solid; compact; — applied to material bodies, and opposed to soft; as, hard wood; hard flesh; a hard apple., Difficult, mentally or judicially; not easily apprehended, decided, or resolved; as a hard problem., Difficult to accomplish; full of obstacles; laborious; fatiguing; arduous; as, a hard task; a disease hard to cure., Difficult to resist or control; powerful., Difficult to bear or endure; not easy to put up with or consent to; hence, severe; rigorous; oppressive; distressing; unjust; grasping; as, a hard lot; hard times; hard fare; a hard winter; hard conditions or terms., Difficult to please or influence; stern; unyielding; obdurate; unsympathetic; unfeeling; cruel; as, a hard master; a hard heart; hard words; a hard character., Not easy or agreeable to the taste; stiff; rigid; ungraceful; repelling; as, a hard style., Rough; acid; sour, as liquors; as, hard cider., Abrupt or explosive in utterance; not aspirated, sibilated, or pronounced with a gradual change of the organs from one position to another; — said of certain consonants, as c in came, and g in go, as distinguished from the same letters in center, general, etc., Wanting softness or smoothness of utterance; harsh; as, a hard tone., Rigid in the drawing or distribution of the figures; formal; lacking grace of composition., Having disagreeable and abrupt contrasts in the coloring or light and shade., With pressure; with urgency; hence, diligently; earnestly., With difficulty; as, the vehicle moves hard., Uneasily; vexatiously; slowly., So as to raise difficulties., With tension or strain of the powers; violently; with force; tempestuously; vehemently; vigorously; energetically; as, to press, to blow, to rain hard; hence, rapidly; as, to run hard., Close or near., To harden; to make hard., A ford or passage across a river or swamp.
hare verb t. To excite; to tease, or worry; to harry., A rodent of the genus Lepus, having long hind legs, a short tail, and a divided upper lip. It is a timid animal, moves swiftly by leaps, and is remarkable for its fecundity., A small constellation situated south of and under the foot of Orion; Lepus.
hark verb i. To listen; to hearken.
harl noun A filamentous substance; especially, the filaments of flax or hemp., A barb, or barbs, of a fine large feather, as of a peacock or ostrich, — used in dressing artificial flies.
harm noun Injury; hurt; damage; detriment; misfortune., That which causes injury, damage, or loss., To hurt; to injure; to damage; to wrong.
harp noun A musical instrument consisting of a triangular frame furnished with strings and sometimes with pedals, held upright, and played with the fingers., A constellation; Lyra, or the Lyre., A grain sieve., To play on the harp., To dwell on or recur to a subject tediously or monotonously in speaking or in writing; to refer to something repeatedly or continually; — usually with on or upon., To play on, as a harp; to play (a tune) on the harp; to develop or give expression to by skill and art; to sound forth as from a harp; to hit upon.
hart noun A stag; the male of the red deer. See the Note under Buck.
hary verb t. To draw; to drag; to carry off by violence.
hase verb t. See Haze, v. t.
hash noun That which is hashed or chopped up; meat and vegetables, especially such as have been already cooked, chopped into small pieces and mixed., A new mixture of old matter; a second preparation or exhibition., To /hop into small pieces; to mince and mix; as, to hash meat.
hask noun A basket made of rushes or flags, as for carrying fish.
hasp noun A clasp, especially a metal strap permanently fast at one end to a staple or pin, while the other passes over a staple, and is fastened by a padlock or a pin; also, a metallic hook for fastening a door., A spindle to wind yarn, thread, or silk on., An instrument for cutting the surface of grass land; a scarifier., To shut or fasten with a hasp.
hast 2d pers. sing. pres. of. Have, contr. of havest., of Have
hate noun To have a great aversion to, with a strong desire that evil should befall the person toward whom the feeling is directed; to dislike intensely; to detest; as, to hate one’s enemies; to hate hypocrisy., To be very unwilling; followed by an infinitive, or a substantive clause with that; as, to hate to get into debt; to hate that anything should be wasted., To love less, relatively., Strong aversion coupled with desire that evil should befall the person toward whom the feeling is directed; as exercised toward things, intense dislike; hatred; detestation; — opposed to love.
hath 3d pers. sing. pres. Has.
haul verb t. To pull or draw with force; to drag., To transport by drawing, as with horses or oxen; as, to haul logs to a sawmill., To change the direction of a ship by hauling the wind. See under Haul, v. t., To pull apart, as oxen sometimes do when yoked., A pulling with force; a violent pull., A single draught of a net; as, to catch a hundred fish at a haul., That which is caught, taken, or gained at once, as by hauling a net., Transportation by hauling; the distance through which anything is hauled, as freight in a railroad car; as, a long haul or short haul., A bundle of about four hundred threads, to be tarred.
haum noun See Haulm, stalk.
haut adjective Haughty.
have indic. present of Have, of Have, To hold in possession or control; to own; as, he has a farm., To possess, as something which appertains to, is connected with, or affects, one., To accept possession of; to take or accept., To get possession of; to obtain; to get., To cause or procure to be; to effect; to exact; to desire; to require., To bear, as young; as, she has just had a child., To hold, regard, or esteem., To cause or force to go; to take., To take or hold (one’s self); to proceed promptly; — used reflexively, often with ellipsis of the pronoun; as, to have after one; to have at one or at a thing, i. e., to aim at one or at a thing; to attack; to have with a companion., To be under necessity or obligation; to be compelled; followed by an infinitive., To understand., To put in an awkward position; to have the advantage of; as, that is where he had him.
hawk noun One of numerous species and genera of rapacious birds of the family Falconidae. They differ from the true falcons in lacking the prominent tooth and notch of the bill, and in having shorter and less pointed wings. Many are of large size and grade into the eagles. Some, as the goshawk, were formerly trained like falcons. In a more general sense the word is not infrequently applied, also, to true falcons, as the sparrow hawk, pigeon hawk, duck hawk, and prairie hawk., To catch, or attempt to catch, birds by means of hawks trained for the purpose, and let loose on the prey; to practice falconry., To make an attack while on the wing; to soar and strike like a hawk; — generally with at; as, to hawk at flies., To clear the throat with an audible sound by forcing an expiratory current of air through the narrow passage between the depressed soft palate and the root of the tongue, thus aiding in the removal of foreign substances., To raise by hawking, as phlegm., An effort to force up phlegm from the throat, accompanied with noise., To offer for sale by outcry in the street; to carry (merchandise) about from place to place for sale; to peddle; as, to hawk goods or pamphlets., A small board, with a handle on the under side, to hold mortar.
hawm noun See Haulm, straw., To lounge; to loiter.
haze noun Light vapor or smoke in the air which more or less impedes vision, with little or no dampness; a lack of transparency in the air; hence, figuratively, obscurity; dimness., To be hazy, or tick with haze., To harass by exacting unnecessary, disagreeable, or difficult work., To harass or annoy by playing abusive or shameful tricks upon; to humiliate by practical jokes; — used esp. of college students; as, the sophomores hazed a freshman.
hazy noun Thick with haze; somewhat obscured with haze; not clear or transparent., Obscure; confused; not clear; as, a hazy argument; a hazy intellect.
head noun The anterior or superior part of an animal, containing the brain, or chief ganglia of the nervous system, the mouth, and in the higher animals, the chief sensory organs; poll; cephalon., The uppermost, foremost, or most important part of an inanimate object; such a part as may be considered to resemble the head of an animal; often, also, the larger, thicker, or heavier part or extremity, in distinction from the smaller or thinner part, or from the point or edge; as, the head of a cane, a nail, a spear, an ax, a mast, a sail, a ship; that which covers and closes the top or the end of a hollow vessel; as, the head of a cask or a steam boiler., The place where the head should go; as, the head of a bed, of a grave, etc.; the head of a carriage, that is, the hood which covers the head., The most prominent or important member of any organized body; the chief; the leader; as, the head of a college, a school, a church, a state, and the like., The place or honor, or of command; the most important or foremost position; the front; as, the head of the table; the head of a column of soldiers., Each one among many; an individual; — often used in a plural sense; as, a thousand head of cattle., The seat of the intellect; the brain; the understanding; the mental faculties; as, a good head, that is, a good mind; it never entered his head, it did not occur to him; of his own head, of his own thought or will., The source, fountain, spring, or beginning, as of a stream or river; as, the head of the Nile; hence, the altitude of the source, or the height of the surface, as of water, above a given place, as above an orifice at which it issues, and the pressure resulting from the height or from motion; sometimes also, the quantity in reserve; as, a mill or reservoir has a good head of water, or ten feet head; also, that part of a gulf or bay most remote from the outlet or the sea., A headland; a promontory; as, Gay Head., A separate part, or topic, of a discourse; a theme to be expanded; a subdivision; as, the heads of a sermon., Culminating point or crisis; hence, strength; force; height., Power; armed force., A headdress; a covering of the head; as, a laced head; a head of hair., An ear of wheat, barley, or of one of the other small cereals., A dense cluster of flowers, as in clover, daisies, thistles; a capitulum., A dense, compact mass of leaves, as in a cabbage or a lettuce plant., The antlers of a deer., A rounded mass of foam which rises on a pot of beer or other effervescing liquor., Tiles laid at the eaves of a house., Principal; chief; leading; first; as, the head master of a school; the head man of a tribe; a head chorister; a head cook., To be at the head of; to put one’s self at the head of; to lead; to direct; to act as leader to; as, to head an army, an expedition, or a riot., To form a head to; to fit or furnish with a head; as, to head a nail., To behead; to decapitate., To cut off the top of; to lop off; as, to head trees., To go in front of; to get in the front of, so as to hinder or stop; to oppose; hence, to check or restrain; as, to head a drove of cattle; to head a person; the wind heads a ship., To set on the head; as, to head a cask., To originate; to spring; to have its source, as a river., To go or point in a certain direction; to tend; as, how does the ship head?, To form a head; as, this kind of cabbage heads early.
heal verb t. To cover, as a roof, with tiles, slate, lead, or the like., To make hale, sound, or whole; to cure of a disease, wound, or other derangement; to restore to soundness or health., To remove or subdue; to cause to pass away; to cure; — said of a disease or a wound., To restore to original purity or integrity., To reconcile, as a breach or difference; to make whole; to free from guilt; as, to heal dissensions., To grow sound; to return to a sound state; as, the limb heals, or the wound heals; — sometimes with up or over; as, it will heal up, or over., Health.
heam noun The afterbirth or secundines of a beast.
heap noun A crowd; a throng; a multitude or great number of persons., A great number or large quantity of things not placed in a pile., A pile or mass; a collection of things laid in a body, or thrown together so as to form an elevation; as, a heap of earth or stones., To collect in great quantity; to amass; to lay up; to accumulate; — usually with up; as, to heap up treasures., To throw or lay in a heap; to make a heap of; to pile; as, to heap stones; — often with up; as, to heap up earth; or with on; as, to heap on wood or coal., To form or round into a heap, as in measuring; to fill (a measure) more than even full.
hear verb t. To perceive by the ear; to apprehend or take cognizance of by the ear; as, to hear sounds; to hear a voice; to hear one call., To give audience or attention to; to listen to; to heed; to accept the doctrines or advice of; to obey; to examine; to try in a judicial court; as, to hear a recitation; to hear a class; the case will be heard to-morrow., To attend, or be present at, as hearer or worshiper; as, to hear a concert; to hear Mass., To give attention to as a teacher or judge., To accede to the demand or wishes of; to listen to and answer favorably; to favor., To have the sense or faculty of perceiving sound., To use the power of perceiving sound; to perceive or apprehend by the ear; to attend; to listen., To be informed by oral communication; to be told; to receive information by report or by letter.
heat noun A force in nature which is recognized in various effects, but especially in the phenomena of fusion and evaporation, and which, as manifested in fire, the sun’s rays, mechanical action, chemical combination, etc., becomes directly known to us through the sense of feeling. In its nature heat is a mode if motion, being in general a form of molecular disturbance or vibration. It was formerly supposed to be a subtile, imponderable fluid, to which was given the name caloric., The sensation caused by the force or influence of heat when excessive, or above that which is normal to the human body; the bodily feeling experienced on exposure to fire, the sun’s rays, etc.; the reverse of cold., High temperature, as distinguished from low temperature, or cold; as, the heat of summer and the cold of winter; heat of the skin or body in fever, etc., Indication of high temperature; appearance, condition, or color of a body, as indicating its temperature; redness; high color; flush; degree of temperature to which something is heated, as indicated by appearance, condition, or otherwise., A single complete operation of heating, as at a forge or in a furnace; as, to make a horseshoe in a certain number of heats., A violent action unintermitted; a single effort; a single course in a race that consists of two or more courses; as, he won two heats out of three., Utmost violence; rage; vehemence; as, the heat of battle or party., Agitation of mind; inflammation or excitement; exasperation., Animation, as in discourse; ardor; fervency., Sexual excitement in animals., Fermentation., To make hot; to communicate heat to, or cause to grow warm; as, to heat an oven or furnace, an iron, or the like., To excite or make hot by action or emotion; to make feverish., To excite ardor in; to rouse to action; to excite to excess; to inflame, as the passions., To grow warm or hot by the action of fire or friction, etc., or the communication of heat; as, the iron or the water heats slowly., To grow warm or hot by fermentation, or the development of heat by chemical action; as, green hay heats in a mow, and manure in the dunghill., Heated; as, the iron though heat red-hot.
hove of Heave, of Heave, imp. & p. p. of Heave., To rise; to swell; to heave; to cause to swell., To hover around; to loiter; to lurk.
hebe noun The goddess of youth, daughter of Jupiter and Juno. She was believed to have the power of restoring youth and beauty to those who had lost them., An African ape; the hamadryas.
heck noun The bolt or latch of a door., A rack for cattle to feed at., A door, especially one partly of latticework; — called also heck door., A latticework contrivance for catching fish., An apparatus for separating the threads of warps into sets, as they are wound upon the reel from the bobbins, in a warping machine., A bend or winding of a stream.
heed verb t. To mind; to regard with care; to take notice of; to attend to; to observe., To mind; to consider., Attention; notice; observation; regard; — often with give or take., Careful consideration; obedient regard., A look or expression of heading.
heel verb i. To lean or tip to one side, as a ship; as, the ship heels aport; the boat heeled over when the squall struck it., The hinder part of the foot; sometimes, the whole foot; — in man or quadrupeds., The hinder part of any covering for the foot, as of a shoe, sock, etc.; specif., a solid part projecting downward from the hinder part of the sole of a boot or shoe., The latter or remaining part of anything; the closing or concluding part., Anything regarded as like a human heel in shape; a protuberance; a knob., The part of a thing corresponding in position to the human heel; the lower part, or part on which a thing rests, The after end of a ship’s keel., The lower end of a mast, a boom, the bowsprit, the sternpost, etc., In a small arm, the corner of the but which is upwards in the firing position., The uppermost part of the blade of a sword, next to the hilt., The part of any tool next the tang or handle; as, the heel of a scythe., Management by the heel, especially the spurred heel; as, the horse understands the heel well., The lower end of a timber in a frame, as a post or rafter. In the United States, specif., the obtuse angle of the lower end of a rafter set sloping., A cyma reversa; — so called by workmen., To perform by the use of the heels, as in dancing, running, and the like., To add a heel to; as, to heel a shoe., To arm with a gaff, as a cock for fighting.
heep noun The hip of the dog-rose.
heer noun A yarn measure of six hundred yards or / of a spindle. See Spindle., Hair.
heft noun Same as Haft, n., The act or effort of heaving/ violent strain or exertion., Weight; ponderousness., The greater part or bulk of anything; as, the heft of the crop was spoiled., of Heft, To heave up; to raise aloft., To prove or try the weight of by raising.
heir noun One who inherits, or is entitled to succeed to the possession of, any property after the death of its owner; one on whom the law bestows the title or property of another at the death of the latter., One who receives any endowment from an ancestor or relation; as, the heir of one’s reputation or virtues., To inherit; to succeed to.
held imp. & p. p. of Hold., of Hold
hele noun Health; welfare., To hide; to cover; to roof.
hell verb t. The place of the dead, or of souls after death; the grave; — called in Hebrew sheol, and by the Greeks hades., The place or state of punishment for the wicked after death; the abode of evil spirits. Hence, any mental torment; anguish., A place where outcast persons or things are gathered, A dungeon or prison; also, in certain running games, a place to which those who are caught are carried for detention., A gambling house., A place into which a tailor throws his shreds, or a printer his broken type., To overwhelm.
helm noun See Haulm, straw., The apparatus by which a ship is steered, comprising rudder, tiller, wheel, etc.; — commonly used of the tiller or wheel alone., The place or office of direction or administration., One at the place of direction or control; a steersman; hence, a guide; a director., A helve., To steer; to guide; to direct., A helmet., A heavy cloud lying on the brow of a mountain., To cover or furnish with a helm or helmet.
holp imp. of Help, Alt. of Holpen
help verb t. To furnish with strength or means for the successful performance of any action or the attainment of any object; to aid; to assist; as, to help a man in his work; to help one to remember; — the following infinitive is commonly used without to; as, “Help me scale yon balcony.”, To furnish with the means of deliverance from trouble; as, to help one in distress; to help one out of prison., To furnish with relief, as in pain or disease; to be of avail against; — sometimes with of before a word designating the pain or disease, and sometimes having such a word for the direct object., To change for the better; to remedy., To prevent; to hinder; as, the evil approaches, and who can help it?, To forbear; to avoid., To wait upon, as the guests at table, by carving and passing food., To lend aid or assistance; to contribute strength or means; to avail or be of use; to assist., Strength or means furnished toward promoting an object, or deliverance from difficulty or distress; aid; ^; also, the person or thing furnishing the aid; as, he gave me a help of fifty dollars., Remedy; relief; as, there is no help for it., A helper; one hired to help another; also, thew hole force of hired helpers in any business., Specifically, a domestic servant, man or woman.
hemp noun A plant of the genus Cannabis (C. sativa), the fibrous skin or bark of which is used for making cloth and cordage. The name is also applied to various other plants yielding fiber., The fiber of the skin or rind of the plant, prepared for spinning. The name has also been extended to various fibers resembling the true hemp.
heng imp. Hung.
hent past participle of Hent, To seize; to lay hold on; to catch; to get.
here pronoun pl. Of them; their., Hair., See Her, their., Her; hers. See Her., In this place; in the place where the speaker is; — opposed to there., In the present life or state., To or into this place; hither. [Colloq.] See Thither., At this point of time, or of an argument; now.
herb noun A plant whose stem does not become woody and permanent, but dies, at least down to the ground, after flowering., Grass; herbage.
herd adjective Haired., 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., A crowd of low people; a rabble., One who herds or assembles domestic animals; a herdsman; — much used in composition; as, a shepherd; a goatherd, and the like., To unite or associate in a herd; to feed or run together, or in company; as, sheep herd on many hills., To associate; to ally one’s self with, or place one’s self among, a group or company., To act as a herdsman or a shepherd., To form or put into a herd.
herl noun Same as Harl, 2.
hern noun A heron; esp., the common European heron.
hero noun An illustrious man, supposed to be exalted, after death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules., A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person., The principal personage in a poem, story, and the like, or the person who has the principal share in the transactions related; as Achilles in the Iliad, Ulysses in the Odyssey, and Aeneas in the Aeneid.
herr noun A title of respect given to gentlemen in Germany, equivalent to the English Mister.
hers pronoun See the Note under Her, pron.
hert noun A hart.
hery verb t. To worship; to glorify; to praise.
hesp noun A measure of two hanks of linen thread.
hest noun Command; precept; injunction.
hete imp. & past participle of Hete, Variant of Hote.
heuk noun Variant of Huke.
hewn of Hew, Felled, cut, or shaped as with an ax; roughly squared; as, a house built of hewn logs., Roughly dressed as with a hammer; as, hewn stone.
hewe noun A domestic servant; a retainer.
hex- Alt. of Hexa
hexa A prefix or combining form, used to denote six, sixth, etc.; as, hexatomic, hexabasic.
heyh adjective Alt. of Heygh
hide verb t. To conceal, or withdraw from sight; to put out of view; to secrete., To withhold from knowledge; to keep secret; to refrain from avowing or confessing., To remove from danger; to shelter., To lie concealed; to keep one’s self out of view; to be withdrawn from sight or observation., An abode or dwelling., A measure of land, common in Domesday Book and old English charters, the quantity of which is not well ascertained, but has been differently estimated at 80, 100, and 120 acres., The skin of an animal, either raw or dressed; — generally applied to the undressed skins of the larger domestic animals, as oxen, horses, etc., The human skin; — so called in contempt., To flog; to whip.
hied imp. & past participle of Hie
high verb i. To hie., Elevated above any starting point of measurement, as a line, or surface; having altitude; lifted up; raised or extended in the direction of the zenith; lofty; tall; as, a high mountain, tower, tree; the sun is high., Regarded as raised up or elevated; distinguished; remarkable; conspicuous; superior; — used indefinitely or relatively, and often in figurative senses, which are understood from the connection, Elevated in character or quality, whether moral or intellectual; preeminent; honorable; as, high aims, or motives., Exalted in social standing or general estimation, or in rank, reputation, office, and the like; dignified; as, she was welcomed in the highest circles., Of noble birth; illustrious; as, of high family., Of great strength, force, importance, and the like; strong; mighty; powerful; violent; sometimes, triumphant; victorious; majestic, etc.; as, a high wind; high passions., Very abstract; difficult to comprehend or surmount; grand; noble., Costly; dear in price; extravagant; as, to hold goods at a high price., Arrogant; lofty; boastful; proud; ostentatious; — used in a bad sense., Possessing a characteristic quality in a supreme or superior degree; as, high (i. e., intense) heat; high (i. e., full or quite) noon; high (i. e., rich or spicy) seasoning; high (i. e., complete) pleasure; high (i. e., deep or vivid) color; high (i. e., extensive, thorough) scholarship, etc., Strong-scented; slightly tainted; as, epicures do not cook game before it is high., Acute or sharp; — opposed to grave or low; as, a high note., Made with a high position of some part of the tongue in relation to the palate, as / (/ve), / (f/d). See Guide to Pronunciation, // 10, 11., In a high manner; in a high place; to a great altitude; to a great degree; largely; in a superior manner; eminently; powerfully., An elevated place; a superior region; a height; the sky; heaven., People of rank or high station; as, high and low., The highest card dealt or drawn., To rise; as, the sun higheth.
hote of Hight, of Hote, To command; to enjoin., To promise., To be called; to be named.
hile verb t. To hide. See Hele., Same as Hilum.
hill noun A natural elevation of land, or a mass of earth rising above the common level of the surrounding land; an eminence less than a mountain., The earth raised about the roots of a plant or cluster of plants. [U. S.] See Hill, v. t., A single cluster or group of plants growing close together, and having the earth heaped up about them; as, a hill of corn or potatoes., To surround with earth; to heap or draw earth around or upon; as, to hill corn.
hilt noun A handle; especially, the handle of a sword, dagger, or the like.
hind noun The female of the red deer, of which the male is the stag., A spotted food fish of the genus Epinephelus, as E. apua of Bermuda, and E. Drummond-hayi of Florida; — called also coney, John Paw, spotted hind., A domestic; a servant., A peasant; a rustic; a farm servant., In the rear; — opposed to front; of or pertaining to the part or end which follows or is behind, in opposition to the part which leads or is before; as, the hind legs or hind feet of a quadruped; the hind man in a procession.
hine noun A servant; a farm laborer; a peasant; a hind.
hink noun A reaping hook.
hint verb t. To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner; as, to hint a suspicion., To make an indirect reference, suggestion, or allusion; to allude vaguely to something., A remote allusion; slight mention; intimation; insinuation; a suggestion or reminder, without a full declaration or explanation; also, an occasion or motive.
hire pronoun See Here, pron., The price, reward, or compensation paid, or contracted to be paid, for the temporary use of a thing or a place, for personal service, or for labor; wages; rent; pay., A bailment by which the use of a thing, or the services and labor of a person, are contracted for at a certain price or reward., To procure (any chattel or estate) from another person, for temporary use, for a compensation or equivalent; to purchase the use or enjoyment of for a limited time; as, to hire a farm for a year; to hire money., To engage or purchase the service, labor, or interest of (any one) for a specific purpose, by payment of wages; as, to hire a servant, an agent, or an advocate., To grant the temporary use of, for compensation; to engage to give the service of, for a price; to let; to lease; — now usually with out, and often reflexively; as, he has hired out his horse, or his time.
hirs pronoun Hers; theirs. See Here, pron.
hiss verb i. To make with the mouth a prolonged sound like that of the letter s, by driving the breath between the tongue and the teeth; to make with the mouth a sound like that made by a goose or a snake when angered; esp., to make such a sound as an expression of hatred, passion, or disapproval., To make a similar noise by any means; to pass with a sibilant sound; as, the arrow hissed as it flew., To condemn or express contempt for by hissing., To utter with a hissing sound., A prolonged sound like that letter s, made by forcing out the breath between the tongue and teeth, esp. as a token of disapprobation or contempt., Any sound resembling that above described, The noise made by a serpent., The note of a goose when irritated., The noise made by steam escaping through a narrow orifice, or by water falling on a hot stove.
hist interj. Hush; be silent; — a signal for silence.
hit. adj. having become very popular or acclaimed; — said of entertainment performances; as, a hit record, a hit movie.
hive noun A box, basket, or other structure, for the reception and habitation of a swarm of honeybees., The bees of one hive; a swarm of bees., A place swarming with busy occupants; a crowd., To collect into a hive; to place in, or cause to enter, a hive; as, to hive a swarm of bees., To store up in a hive, as honey; hence, to gather and accumulate for future need; to lay up in store., To take shelter or lodgings together; to reside in a collective body.
hizz verb i. To hiss.
hoar adjective White, or grayish white; as, hoar frost; hoar cliffs., Gray or white with age; hoary., Musty; moldy; stale., Hoariness; antiquity., To become moldy or musty.
hoax noun A deception for mockery or mischief; a deceptive trick or story; a practical joke., To deceive by a story or a trick, for sport or mischief; to impose upon sportively.
hock noun A Rhenish wine, of a light yellow color, either sparkling or still. The name is also given indiscriminately to all Rhenish wines., Alt. of Hough, To disable by cutting the tendons of the hock; to hamstring; to hough.
hoed imp. & past participle of Hoe
hogh noun A hill; a cliff.
hogo noun High flavor; strong scent.
hoit verb i. To leap; to caper; to romp noisily.
hold noun The whole interior portion of a vessel below the lower deck, in which the cargo is stowed., To cause to remain in a given situation, position, or relation, within certain limits, or the like; to prevent from falling or escaping; to sustain; to restrain; to keep in the grasp; to retain., To retain in one’s keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend., To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office., To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain., To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain., To prosecute, have, take, or join in, as something which is the result of united action; as to, hold a meeting, a festival, a session, etc.; hence, to direct and bring about officially; to conduct or preside at; as, the general held a council of war; a judge holds a court; a clergyman holds a service., To receive and retain; to contain as a vessel; as, this pail holds milk; hence, to be able to receive and retain; to have capacity or containing power for., To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain., To consider; to regard; to esteem; to account; to think; to judge., To bear, carry, or manage; as he holds himself erect; he holds his head high., In general, to keep one’s self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence:, Not to more; to halt; to stop;-mostly in the imperative., Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued., Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist., Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain attached; to cleave;-often with with, to, or for., To restrain one’s self; to refrain., To derive right or title; — generally with of., The act of holding, as in or with the hands or arms; the manner of holding, whether firm or loose; seizure; grasp; clasp; gripe; possession; — often used with the verbs take and lay., The authority or ground to take or keep; claim., Binding power and influence., Something that may be grasped; means of support., A place of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard., A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; — often called a stronghold., A character [thus /] placed over or under a note or rest, and indicating that it is to be prolonged; — called also pause, and corona.
hole adjective Whole., A hollow place or cavity; an excavation; a pit; an opening in or through a solid body, a fabric, etc.; a perforation; a rent; a fissure., An excavation in the ground, made by an animal to live in, or a natural cavity inhabited by an animal; hence, a low, narrow, or dark lodging or place; a mean habitation., To cut, dig, or bore a hole or holes in; as, to hole a post for the insertion of rails or bars., To drive into a hole, as an animal, or a billiard ball., To go or get into a hole.
holm noun A common evergreen oak, of Europe (Quercus Ilex); — called also ilex, and holly., An islet in a river., Low, flat land.
holt 3d pers. sing. pres. of Hold, contr. from holdeth., A piece of woodland; especially, a woody hill., A deep hole in a river where there is protection for fish; also, a cover, a hole, or hiding place.
holy superl. Set apart to the service or worship of God; hallowed; sacred; reserved from profane or common use; holy vessels; a holy priesthood., Spiritually whole or sound; of unimpaired innocence and virtue; free from sinful affections; pure in heart; godly; pious; irreproachable; guiltless; acceptable to God.
home noun See Homelyn., One’s own dwelling place; the house in which one lives; esp., the house in which one lives with his family; the habitual abode of one’s family; also, one’s birthplace., One’s native land; the place or country in which one dwells; the place where one’s ancestors dwell or dwelt., The abiding place of the affections, especially of the domestic affections., The locality where a thing is usually found, or was first found, or where it is naturally abundant; habitat; seat; as, the home of the pine., A place of refuge and rest; an asylum; as, a home for outcasts; a home for the blind; hence, esp., the grave; the final rest; also, the native and eternal dwelling place of the soul., The home base; he started for home., Of or pertaining to one’s dwelling or country; domestic; not foreign; as home manufactures; home comforts., Close; personal; pointed; as, a home thrust., To one’s home or country; as in the phrases, go home, come home, carry home., Close; closely., To the place where it belongs; to the end of a course; to the full length; as, to drive a nail home; to ram a cartridge home.
hond noun Hand.
hone verb i. To pine; to lament; to long., A kind of swelling in the cheek., A stone of a fine grit, or a slab, as of metal, covered with an abrading substance or powder, used for sharpening cutting instruments, and especially for setting razors; an oilstone., To sharpen on, or with, a hone; to rub on a hone in order to sharpen; as, to hone a razor.
hong noun A mercantile establishment or factory for foreign trade in China, as formerly at Canton; a succession of offices connected by a common passage and used for business or storage., To hang.
honk noun The cry of a wild goose.
hont noun & verb See under Hunt.
hood noun State; condition., A covering or garment for the head or the head and shoulders, often attached to the body garment, A soft covering for the head, worn by women, which leaves only the face exposed., A part of a monk’s outer garment, with which he covers his head; a cowl., A like appendage to a cloak or loose overcoat, that may be drawn up over the head at pleasure., An ornamental fold at the back of an academic gown or ecclesiastical vestment; as, a master’s hood., A covering for a horse’s head., A covering for a hawk’s head and eyes. See Illust. of Falcon., Anything resembling a hood in form or use, The top or head of a carriage., A chimney top, often contrived to secure a constant draught by turning with the wind., A projecting cover above a hearth, forming the upper part of the fireplace, and confining the smoke to the flue., The top of a pump., A covering for a mortar., The hood-shaped upper petal of some flowers, as of monkshood; — called also helmet., A covering or porch for a companion hatch., The endmost plank of a strake which reaches the stem or stern., To cover with a hood; to furnish with a hood or hood-shaped appendage., To cover; to hide; to blind.
hoof noun The horny substance or case that covers or terminates the feet of certain animals, as horses, oxen, etc., A hoofed animal; a beast., See Ungula., To walk as cattle., To be on a tramp; to foot.
hook noun A piece of metal, or other hard material, formed or bent into a curve or at an angle, for catching, holding, or sustaining anything; as, a hook for catching fish; a hook for fastening a gate; a boat hook, etc., That part of a hinge which is fixed to a post, and on which a door or gate hangs and turns., An implement for cutting grass or grain; a sickle; an instrument for cutting or lopping; a billhook., See Eccentric, and V-hook., A snare; a trap., A field sown two years in succession., The projecting points of the thigh bones of cattle; — called also hook bones., To catch or fasten with a hook or hooks; to seize, capture, or hold, as with a hook, esp. with a disguised or baited hook; hence, to secure by allurement or artifice; to entrap; to catch; as, to hook a dress; to hook a trout., To seize or pierce with the points of the horns, as cattle in attacking enemies; to gore., To steal., To bend; to curve as a hook.
hool adjective Whole.
hoom noun Home.
hoop noun A pliant strip of wood or metal bent in a circular form, and united at the ends, for holding together the staves of casks, tubs, etc., A ring; a circular band; anything resembling a hoop, as the cylinder (cheese hoop) in which the curd is pressed in making cheese., A circle, or combination of circles, of thin whalebone, metal, or other elastic material, used for expanding the skirts of ladies’ dresses; crinoline; — used chiefly in the plural., A quart pot; — so called because originally bound with hoops, like a barrel. Also, a portion of the contents measured by the distance between the hoops., An old measure of capacity, variously estimated at from one to four pecks., To bind or fasten with hoops; as, to hoop a barrel or puncheon., To clasp; to encircle; to surround., To utter a loud cry, or a sound imitative of the word, by way of call or pursuit; to shout., To whoop, as in whooping cough. See Whoop., To drive or follow with a shout., To call by a shout or peculiar cry., A shout; a whoop, as in whooping cough., The hoopoe. See Hoopoe.
hoot verb i. To cry out or shout in contempt., To make the peculiar cry of an owl., To assail with contemptuous cries or shouts; to follow with derisive shouts., A derisive cry or shout., The cry of an owl.
hope noun A sloping plain between mountain ridges., A small bay; an inlet; a haven., A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy., One who, or that which, gives hope, furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good., That which is hoped for; an object of hope., To entertain or indulge hope; to cherish a desire of good, or of something welcome, with expectation of obtaining it or belief that it is obtainable; to expect; — usually followed by for., To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; — usually followed by in., To desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility or prospect of obtaining; to look forward to as a thing desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it; to cherish hopes of., To expect; to fear.
hore adjective Hoar.
horn noun A hard, projecting, and usually pointed organ, growing upon the heads of certain animals, esp. of the ruminants, as cattle, goats, and the like. The hollow horns of the Ox family consist externally of true horn, and are never shed., The antler of a deer, which is of bone throughout, and annually shed and renewed., Any natural projection or excrescence from an animal, resembling or thought to resemble a horn in substance or form; esp.: (a) A projection from the beak of a bird, as in the hornbill. (b) A tuft of feathers on the head of a bird, as in the horned owl. (c) A hornlike projection from the head or thorax of an insect, or the head of a reptile, or fish. (d) A sharp spine in front of the fins of a fish, as in the horned pout., An incurved, tapering and pointed appendage found in the flowers of the milkweed (Asclepias)., Something made of a horn, or in resemblance of a horn, A wind instrument of music; originally, one made of a horn (of an ox or a ram); now applied to various elaborately wrought instruments of brass or other metal, resembling a horn in shape., A drinking cup, or beaker, as having been originally made of the horns of cattle., The cornucopia, or horn of plenty., A vessel made of a horn; esp., one designed for containing powder; anciently, a small vessel for carrying liquids., The pointed beak of an anvil., The high pommel of a saddle; also, either of the projections on a lady’s saddle for supporting the leg., The Ionic volute., The outer end of a crosstree; also, one of the projections forming the jaws of a gaff, boom, etc., A curved projection on the fore part of a plane., One of the projections at the four corners of the Jewish altar of burnt offering., One of the curved ends of a crescent; esp., an extremity or cusp of the moon when crescent-shaped., The curving extremity of the wing of an army or of a squadron drawn up in a crescentlike form., The tough, fibrous material of which true horns are composed, being, in the Ox family, chiefly albuminous, with some phosphate of lime; also, any similar substance, as that which forms the hoof crust of horses, sheep, and cattle; as, a spoon of horn., A symbol of strength, power, glory, exaltation, or pride., An emblem of a cuckold; — used chiefly in the plural., To furnish with horns; to give the shape of a horn to., To cause to wear horns; to cuckold.
hose plural of Hose, Close-fitting trousers or breeches, as formerly worn, reaching to the knee., Covering for the feet and lower part of the legs; a stocking or stockings., A flexible pipe, made of leather, India rubber, or other material, and used for conveying fluids, especially water, from a faucet, hydrant, or fire engine.
host noun The consecrated wafer, believed to be the body of Christ, which in the Mass is offered as a sacrifice; also, the bread before consecration., An army; a number of men gathered for war., Any great number or multitude; a throng., One who receives or entertains another, whether gratuitously or for compensation; one from whom another receives food, lodging, or entertainment; a landlord., To give entertainment to., To lodge at an inn; to take up entertainment.
houp noun See Hoopoe.
hour noun The twenty-fourth part of a day; sixty minutes., The time of the day, as expressed in hours and minutes, and indicated by a timepiece; as, what is the hour? At what hour shall we meet?, Fixed or appointed time; conjuncture; a particular time or occasion; as, the hour of greatest peril; the man for the hour., Certain prayers to be repeated at stated times of the day, as matins and vespers., A measure of distance traveled.
howl verb i. To utter a loud, protraced, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do., To utter a sound expressive of distress; to cry aloud and mournfully; to lament; to wail., To make a noise resembling the cry of a wild beast., To utter with outcry., The protracted, mournful cry of a dog or a wolf, or other like sound., A prolonged cry of distress or anguish; a wail.
howp verb i. To cry out; to whoop.
huch noun Alt. of Huchen
huck verb i. To higgle in trading.
hued adjective Having color; — usually in composition; as, bright-hued; many-hued.
huer noun One who cries out or gives an alarm; specifically, a balker; a conder. See Balker.
huff verb t. To swell; to enlarge; to puff up; as, huffed up with air., To treat with insolence and arrogance; to chide or rebuke with insolence; to hector; to bully., To remove from the board (the piece which could have captured an opposing piece). See Huff, v. i., 3., To enlarge; to swell up; as, bread huffs., To bluster or swell with anger, pride, or arrogance; to storm; to take offense., To remove from the board a man which could have captured a piece but has not done so; — so called because it was the habit to blow upon the piece., A swell of sudden anger or arrogance; a fit of disappointment and petulance or anger; a rage., A boaster; one swelled with a false opinion of his own value or importance.
huge superl. Very large; enormous; immense; excessive; — used esp. of material bulk, but often of qualities, extent, etc.; as, a huge ox; a huge space; a huge difference.
hugy adjective Vast.
huke noun An outer garment worn in Europe in the Middle Ages.
hulk noun The body of a ship or decked vessel of any kind; esp., the body of an old vessel laid by as unfit for service., A heavy ship of clumsy build., Anything bulky or unwieldly., To take out the entrails of; to disembowel; as, to hulk a hare.
hull verb t. The outer covering of anything, particularly of a nut or of grain; the outer skin of a kernel; the husk., The frame or body of a vessel, exclusive of her masts, yards, sails, and rigging., To strip off or separate the hull or hulls of; to free from integument; as, to hull corn., To pierce the hull of, as a ship, with a cannon ball., To toss or drive on the water, like the hull of a ship without sails.
hump noun A protuberance; especially, the protuberance formed by a crooked back., A fleshy protuberance on the back of an animal, as a camel or whale.
hunk noun A large lump or piece; a hunch; as, a hunk of bread.
hunt verb t. To search for or follow after, as game or wild animals; to chase; to pursue for the purpose of catching or killing; to follow with dogs or guns for sport or exercise; as, to hunt a deer., To search diligently after; to seek; to pursue; to follow; — often with out or up; as, to hunt up the facts; to hunt out evidence., To drive; to chase; — with down, from, away, etc.; as, to hunt down a criminal; he was hunted from the parish., To use or manage in the chase, as hounds., To use or traverse in pursuit of game; as, he hunts the woods, or the country., To follow the chase; to go out in pursuit of game; to course with hounds., To seek; to pursue; to search; — with for or after., The act or practice of chasing wild animals; chase; pursuit; search., The game secured in the hunt., A pack of hounds., An association of huntsmen., A district of country hunted over.
hurl verb t. To send whirling or whizzing through the air; to throw with violence; to drive with great force; as, to hurl a stone or lance., To emit or utter with vehemence or impetuosity; as, to hurl charges or invective., To twist or turn., To hurl one’s self; to go quickly., To perform the act of hurling something; to throw something (at another)., To play the game of hurling. See Hurling., The act of hurling or throwing with violence; a cast; a fling., Tumult; riot; hurly-burly., A table on which fiber is stirred and mixed by beating with a bowspring.
hurr verb i. To make a rolling or burring sound.
hurt noun A band on a trip-hammer helve, bearing the trunnions., A husk. See Husk, 2., of Hurt, To cause physical pain to; to do bodily harm to; to wound or bruise painfully., To impar the value, usefulness, beauty, or pleasure of; to damage; to injure; to harm., To wound the feelings of; to cause mental pain to; to offend in honor or self-respect; to annoy; to grieve.
hush verb t. To still; to silence; to calm; to make quiet; to repress the noise or clamor of., To appease; to allay; to calm; to soothe., To become or to keep still or quiet; to become silent; — esp. used in the imperative, as an exclamation; be still; be silent or quiet; make no noise., Stillness; silence; quiet., Silent; quiet.
husk noun The external covering or envelope of certain fruits or seeds; glume; hull; rind; in the United States, especially applied to the covering of the ears of maize., The supporting frame of a run of millstones., To strip off the external covering or envelope of; as, to husk Indian corn.
huso noun A large European sturgeon (Acipenser huso), inhabiting the region of the Black and Caspian Seas. It sometimes attains a length of more than twelve feet, and a weight of two thousand pounds. Called also hausen., The huchen, a large salmon.
huzz verb i. To buzz; to murmur.
hyen noun A hyena.
hyke noun See Haik, and Huke.
hymn noun An ode or song of praise or adoration; especially, a religious ode, a sacred lyric; a song of praise or thankgiving intended to be used in religious service; as, the Homeric hymns; Watts’ hymns., To praise in song; to worship or extol by singing hymns; to sing., To sing in praise or adoration.
hyne noun A servant. See Hine.
hyo- A prexif used in anatomy, and generally denoting connection with the hyoid bone or arch; as, hyoglossal, hyomandibular, hyomental, etc.
hypo noun Hypochondria., Sodium hyposulphite, or thiosulphate, a solution of which is used as a bath to wash out the unchanged silver salts in a picture.