Part 811

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.

2. By fusion, so as to form an air-tight closure.

A vessel or tube is hermetically sealed when it is closed completely against the passage of air or other fluid by fusing the extremity; -- sometimes less properly applied to any air-tight closure.

Her"mit (?), n. [OE. ermite, eremite, heremit, heremite, F. hermite, ermite, L. eremita, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; lonely, solitary. Cf. Eremite.] 1. A person who retires from society and lives in solitude; a recluse; an anchoret; especially, one who so lives from religious motives.

He had been Duke of Savoy, and after a very glorious reign, took on him the habit of a hermit, and retired into this solitary spot.

Addison.

2. A beadsman; one bound to pray for another. [Obs.] "We rest your hermits." Shak.

Hermit crab (Zoˆl.), a marine decapod crustacean of the family PaguridÊ. The species are numerous, and belong to many genera. Called also soldier crab. The hermit crabs usually occupy the dead shells of various univalve mollusks. See Illust. of Commensal. -- Hermit thrush (Zoˆl.), an American thrush (Turdus Pallasii), with retiring habits, but having a sweet song. -- Hermit warbler (Zoˆl.), a California wood warbler (Dendroica occidentalis), having the head yellow, the throat black, and the back gray, with black streaks.

Her"mit*age (?; 48), n. [OE. hermitage, ermitage, F. hermitage, ermitage. See Hermit.] 1. The habitation of a hermit; a secluded residence.

Some forlorn and naked hermitage, Remote from all the pleasures of the world.

Shak.

2. [F. Vin de l'Hermitage.] A celebrated French wine, both white and red, of the Department of DrÙme.

Her"mit*a*ry (?), n. [Cf. LL. hermitorium, eremitorium.] A cell annexed to an abbey, for the use of a hermit. Howell.

Her"mit*ess, n. A female hermit. Coleridge.

Her*mit"i*cal (?), a. Pertaining to, or suited for, a hermit. Coventry.

Her`mo*dac"tyl (?), n. [NL. hermodactylus, lit., Hermes' finger; fr. Gr. &?; Hermes + &?; finger.] (med.) A heart-shaped bulbous root, about the size of a finger, brought from Turkey, formerly used as a cathartic.

Her`mo*ge"ni*an (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) A disciple of Hermogenes, an heretical teacher who lived in Africa near the close of the second century. He held matter to be the fountain of all evil, and that souls and spirits are formed of corrupt matter.

Hern (?), n. (Zoˆl.) A heron; esp., the common European heron. "A stately hern." Trench.

Her*na"ni (?), n. A thin silk or woolen goods, for women's dresses, woven in various styles and colors.

Herne (?), n. [AS. hyrne.] A corner. [Obs.]

Lurking in hernes and in lanes blind.