Hemisphere, hem′i-sfēr, n. a half-sphere: half of the globe or a map of it.—adjs. Hemispher′ic, -al.—n. Hemisphē′roid, the half of a spheroid.—adj. Hemispheroi′dal.—Eastern and Western hemispheres, the eastern and western halves of the terrestrial globe, the former including Europe, Asia, and Africa; the latter, the Americas. [Gr. hēmisphairion—hēmi-, half, sphaira, a sphere.]
Hemistich, hem′i-stik, n. one of the two parts of a line of poetry as divided by the cesura: half a line, an incomplete or unfinished line: an epodic line or refrain.—adj. Hem′istichal. [L. hemistichium—Gr. hēmistichion—hēmi-, half, stichos, a line.]
Hemitrope, hem′i-trōp, n. a form in which one part of a crystal is in reverse position with reference to the other part, a twin-crystal.—adjs. Hem′itrope, Hemit′ropal, Hemitrop′ic, Hemit′ropous.
Hemlock, hem′lok, n. a genus of umbelliferous plants, the most common species being the poisonous spotted hemlock, used in medicine. [A.S. hemlic, the second syllable a weakened form of leác, a plant. Cf. Charlock, Garlic.]
Hemp, hemp, n. a plant with a fibrous bark used for cordage, coarse cloth, &c.: the fibrous rind prepared for spinning.—adj. Hemp′en, made of hemp.—ns. Hemp′-nett′le, a coarse bristly annual weed of the labiate family; Hemp′-palm, a palm of China and Japan, the fibre of the leaves of which is much employed for making cordage—hats, cloaks, and other garments are also made from it; Hemp′-seed, Mrs Quickly's word for homicide (Shak., 2 Henry IV., II. i. 64).—adj. Hemp′y, like hemp: roguish: romping.—n. (Scot.) a rogue.—Hempen collar, and caudle (Shak.), the hangman's noose; Hempen widow, the widow of a man who has been hanged. [A.S. henep, hænep—L. cannabis—Gr. kannabis.]
Hen, hen, n. the female of any bird, esp. of the domestic fowl.—ns. Hen′bane, a coarse annual or biennial herb of the nightshade family, poisonous, esp. to domestic fowls; Hen′coop, a coop or large cage for domestic fowls; Hen′-driv′er, Hen′-harr′ier, a species of falcon, the common harrier.—adj. Hen′-heart′ed, timid as a hen: cowardly.—ns. Hen′-house, a house, coop, or shelter for fowls; Hen′-huss′y, a man who meddles with women's affairs; Hen′-mould, a black, spongy soil; Hen′nery, a place where fowls are kept.—adj. Hen′ny, like a hen, feathered.—v.t. Hen′peck, of a wife, to domineer over her husband.—n. the subjection of a husband to his wife.—adj. Hen′pecked, weakly subject to his wife.—ns. Henpeck′ery, the state of being henpecked; Hen′-roost, a place where poultry roost at night; Hen′wife, Hen′-wom′an, a woman who has the charge of poultry. [A.S. henn—hana, a cock; Ger. hahn, fem. henne.]
Hence, hens, adv. from this place or time: in the future: from this cause or reason: from this origin.—interj. away! begone!—advs. Hence′forth, Hencefor′ward, from this time forth or forward. [M. E. hennes, henne—A.S. heonan, from the base of he; Ger. hinnen,hin, hence; so L. hinc, hence—hic, this.]
Henchman, hensh′man, n. a servant: a page. [Not from haunch-man, but from A.S. hengest, a horse (Ger. hengst), and man.]
Hend, hend, v.t. (Spens.) to seize, to grasp. [Hand.]
Hendecagon, hen-dek′a-gon, n. a plane figure of eleven angles and eleven sides.—adj. Hendecag′onal. [Gr. hendeka, eleven, gōnia, an angle.]