Defn: A herald. [Obs.] Chaucer.
HERB Herb, n. Etym: [OE. herbe, erbe, OF. herbe, erbe, F. herbe, L. herba; perh. akin to Gr. forbh` food, pasture, fe`rbein to feed.]
1. A plant whose stem does not become woody and permanent, but dies, at least down to the ground, after flowering.
Note: Annual herbs live but one season; biennial herbs flower the second season, and then die; perennial herbs produce new stems year after year.
2. Grass; herbage.
And flocks Grazing the tender herb. Milton.
Herb bennet. (Bot.) See Bennet.
— Herb Christopher (Bot.), an herb (Actæa spicata), whose root is
used in nervous diseases; the baneberry. The name is occasionally
given to other plants, as the royal fern, the wood betony, etc.
— Herb Gerard (Bot.), the goutweed; — so called in honor of St.
Gerard, who used to be invoked against the gout. Dr. Prior.
— Herb grace, or Herb of grace. (Bot.) See Rue.
— Herb Margaret (Bot.), the daisy. See Marguerite.
— Herb Paris (Bot.), an Old World plant related to the trillium
(Paris quadrifolia), commonly reputed poisonous.
— Herb Robert (Bot.), a species of Geranium (G. Robertianum.)
HERBACEOUS
Her*ba"ceous, a. Etym: [L. herbaceus grassy. See Herb.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to herbs; having the nature, texture, or characteristics, of an herb; as, herbaceous plants; an herbaceous stem.
HERBAGE
Herb"age (; 48), n. Etym: [F. See Herb.]
1. Herbs collectively; green food beasts; grass; pasture. "Thin herbage in the plaims." Dryden.
2. (Law.)