Hexaclinon, Gr. and R. (ἑξά-κλινος). A dining or banqueting couch capable of holding six persons.
Hexaphoron, Gr. and R. (ἑξά-φορον). A litter carried by six porters.
Hexapterygon, Chr. (ἑξα-πτέρυγον). A fan used by Greek Catholics, and so named because it has on it figures of seraphim with six wings. (See Fan and Flabellum.)
Hexastyle, Arch. (ἑξά-στυλος). A façade of which the roof is supported by six columns.
Hexeris, Gr. (ἑξ-ήρης). A vessel with six ranks of oars.
Hiberna or Hyberna, R. A winter apartment. The halls in a Roman country house were built to face different ways according to the seasons; verna and autumnalis looked to the east; hyberna, to the west; æstiva, to the north.
Hidage, Hidegild, A.S. A tax payable to the Saxon kings of England for every hide of land. The word is indifferently used to signify exemption from such a tax.
Hidalgo (Span. hijo d’algo, son of somebody). An obsolete title of nobility in Spain.
Hieroglyphics, Egyp. (ἱερὸς, sacred, and γλύφω, to carve). Characters of Egyptian writing, the letters of which are figurative or symbolic. There are three kinds of Egyptian writing, the hieroglyphic, the hieratic, and the demotic. Clement of Alexandria says that in the education of the Egyptians three styles of writing are taught: the first is called the epistolary (enchorial or demotic); the second the sacerdotal (hieratic), which the sacred Scribes employ; and the third the hieroglyphic. Other nations, as for instance the ancient Mexicans, have likewise employed hieroglyphics.
Hieromancy, Gr. and R. Divination from sacrifices.