Hammam, ham′am, n. an Oriental bathing establishment, a Turkish bath.—Also Hum′maum, Hum′mum. [Ar.]
Hammer, ham′ėr, n. a tool for beating metal or driving nails: a striking-piece in the mechanism of a clock or piano: that part of the lock of a firearm which falls with a sharp blow and causes the discharge of the piece: the baton of an auctioneer, a knock from which signifies that an article is sold: a small bone of the ear, the malleus.—v.t. to drive, shape, or fashion with a hammer: to contrive by intellectual labour, to excogitate (with out): to declare (a person) a defaulter on the Stock Exchange: to beat down the price of (a stock), to depress (a market).—ns. Hamm′er-beam, a horizontal piece of timber in place of a tie-beam at or near the feet of a pair of rafters; Hamm′erhead, Hamm′er-fish, a rapacious fish of the shark family—from the shape of its head.—adj. Hamm′erheaded, with a head shaped like a hammer: dull in intellect, stupid.—n. Hamm′ering, a dented, appearance on silverware effected by successive blows of a hammer.—adj. Hamm′erless, without a hammer—of a gun.—n. Hamm′erman, a man who hammers, as a blacksmith, goldsmith, &c.—Hammer-and-tongs, with great noise and vigour, violently.—Bring to the hammer, to sell, or cause to sell, by auction; Up to the hammer, first-rate. [A.S. hamor; Ger. hammer, Ice. hamarr.]
Hammercloth, ham′ėr-kloth, n. the cloth which covers a coach-box. [Skeat thinks it an adaptation of Dut. hemal, heaven, a covering, with the addition of cloth, by way of giving a sort of sense.]
Hammochrysos, ham-o-krī′sos, n. a sparkling stone of the ancients, perhaps yellow micaceous schist. [Gr., hammos, sand, chrysos, gold.]
Hammock, ham′uk, n. a piece of strong cloth or netting suspended by the corners, and used as a bed by sailors. [Sp. hamaca, of Carib origin.]
Hamose, hā′mos, adj. hooked—also Hā′mous.—adjs. Ham′ular, like a small hook; Ham′ulate, having a small hook at the tip.—n. Ham′ulus, a small hook or hook-like process. [L. hamus, hook.]
Hamper, ham′pėr, v.t. to impede or perplex: to shackle.—n. a chain or fetter.—p.adj. Ham′pered, fettered, impeded.—adv. Ham′peredly.—n. Ham′peredness. [First about 1350, in Northern writers, prob. rel. to Ice. hemja (pt.t. hamdi), to restrain; Ger. hemmen.]
Hamper, ham′pėr, n. a large basket for conveying goods.—v.t. to put in a hamper.—ns. Han′ap, a large drinking-cup; Han′aper, an old name for a receptacle for treasure, paper, &c., long the name of an office in the Court of Chancery. [For hanaper—O. Fr. hanapier—hanap, a drinking-cup—Old High Ger. hnapf; A.S. hnæp, a bowl.]
Hamshackle, ham′shak-l, v.t. to shackle a cow or horse by a rope joined to the head and fore-leg: to fetter, restrain. [Hamper and shackle.]