from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Shepherd \Shep"herd\, n. [OE. schepherde, schephirde, AS.
sce['a]phyrde; sce['a]p sheep + hyrde, hirde, heorde, a herd,
a guardian. See {Sheep}, and {Herd}.]
1. A man employed in tending, feeding, and guarding sheep,
esp. a flock grazing at large.
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2. The pastor of a church; one with the religious guidance of
others.
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{Shepherd bird} (Zool.), the crested screamer. See
{Screamer}.
{Shepherd dog} (Zool.), a breed of dogs used largely for the
herding and care of sheep. There are several kinds, as the
collie, or Scotch shepherd dog, and the English shepherd
dog. Called also {shepherd's dog}.
{Shepherd dog}, a name of Pan. --Keats.
{Shepherd kings}, the chiefs of a nomadic people who invaded
Egypt from the East in the traditional period, and
conquered it, at least in part. They were expelled after
about five hundred years, and attempts have been made to
connect their expulsion with narrative in the book of
Exodus.
{Shepherd's club} (Bot.), the common mullein. See {Mullein}.
{Shepherd's crook}, a long staff having the end curved so as
to form a large hook, -- used by shepherds.
{Shepherd's needle} (Bot.), the lady's comb.
{Shepherd's plaid}, a kind of woolen cloth of a checkered
black and white pattern.
{Shephered spider} (Zool.), a daddy longlegs, or harvestman.
{Shepherd's pouch}, or {Shepherd's purse} (Bot.), an annual
cruciferous plant ({Capsella Bursapastoris}) bearing small
white flowers and pouchlike pods. See Illust. of
{Silicle}.
{Shepherd's rod}, or {Shepherd's staff} (Bot.), the small
teasel.
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