HERD Meaning and
Definition
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Herd is a noun that refers to a group of animals of the same species, typically hoofed mammals, that gather, move, and feed together. It signifies a collective assemblage of animals under the shared purpose of survival and social cohesion. The term is commonly associated with grazing animals such as cattle, horses, or sheep, but can also refer to other species like elephants, deer, or bison.
Apart from the noun form, herd can also function as a verb, indicating the act of gathering animals together and guiding them in a particular direction. This verb usage often involves shepherds or farmers guiding their livestock or controlling their movement for various purposes, such as feeding, protection, or transportation.
Herd behavior is a significant phenomenon used in behavioral studies to describe the tendency of individuals within a group to act collectively, often influenced by the actions and emotions of others. It reflects a social behavior that arises from the animals' need for safety, companionship, and efficient resource utilization.
Overall, "herd" describes both the physical gathering of animals as well as the behavioral patterns and dynamics that emerge when animals congregate in groups. The concept of a herd plays a crucial role in understanding animal behavior, ecology, and the dynamics of social interaction within a species.
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• A collection or assemblage, as cattle or beasts; the rabble; one employed to attend cattle.
• To unite or associate, as beasts; to form into a herd.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for HERD *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for HERD
Etymology of HERD
The word "herd" originated from the Old English word "heord", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic language. In Proto-Germanic, it was "herdō", and it shared a common root with the Old High German word "herdo" and the Old Norse word "hjǫrð". These early forms ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kerdʰ-", meaning "to gather". Over time, the word evolved and was adopted into Old English as "heord", referring to a group of domestic animals that were kept together. The modern English word "herd" has retained its original sense of referring to a group or collection of animals.
Idioms with the word HERD
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ride herd on (someone or something)
The idiom "ride herd on (someone or something)" means to exert strict control, supervision, or management on someone or something, often with the intention of ensuring organized behavior, adherence to rules or regulations, or achieving a particular outcome. It originates from the practice of cowboys overseeing a herd of cattle, directing them and keeping them in line.
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ride herd on sm or sth
The idiom "ride herd on someone or something" means to closely monitor, supervise, or control someone or something, usually in a strict or authoritarian manner. It originates from the practice of a cowboy or rancher riding on horseback to gather, manage, and control a large herd of cattle. Thus, the idiom metaphorically refers to someone exerting authority, maintaining discipline, or keeping a close watch over a group or situation.
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ride herd on somebody/something
To "ride herd on somebody/something" means to closely monitor or supervise someone or something, often in a strict or commanding manner, in order to keep them under control or manage them effectively. This idiom originates from the image of a cowboy riding on horseback, herding and controlling a group of cattle.
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herd cats
Herd cats is an idiom that means to attempt to control or organize a group of people or things that are difficult or impossible to manage or direct. It implies the idea of trying to corral or coordinate independent and unruly individuals, similar to the challenge of herding cats, which are known to be independent and stubborn animals that don't typically follow orders.
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herd someone or something together
The idiom "herd someone or something together" means to gather or collect people or things in a group or in a specific location, often with the intention of keeping them under control or organized. It implies the act of bringing individuals or objects together as if they were a herd of animals that need to be managed or directed.
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herd sm or sth together
The idiom "herd sm or sth together" means to gather or collect people or things into a group or in a confined space, often by using force or authority. It usually implies bringing together individuals or objects that may not naturally or willingly come together.
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ride herd on someone/something
The idiom "ride herd on someone/something" means to exert control, supervision, or constant vigilance over someone or something. It often implies keeping a close watch or managing a situation closely. The expression is derived from the image of a cowboy closely monitoring and directing a herd of animals, ensuring they stay on track and follow instructions.
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cull the herd
The idiom "cull the herd" refers to the act of selectively removing or eliminating weaker or less desirable elements from a group or population in order to improve the overall quality or efficiency. It is often used metaphorically to describe the process of eliminating or getting rid of individuals or things that are inefficient, unproductive, or harmful, in order to achieve a desired outcome.
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herd together
The idiom "herd together" refers to the act of gathering or congregating in a group, often used to describe people or animals moving or staying close together in a unified manner. It implies a sense of unity, similarity, or collective behavior among those involved.
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ride herd on
The idiom "ride herd on" refers to closely supervising, controlling, or managing a group of people or a situation. It originates from the practice of a cowboy or rancher physically riding on horseback to keep a close watch and control over a herd of cattle or horses. In a figurative sense, "riding herd on" means to maintain authority and oversight over individuals or circumstances.
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ride herd on sb/sth
The idiom "ride herd on someone/something" means to closely monitor or supervise someone or something, usually in a strict or assertive manner. It is often used when referring to keeping control over a person, a group, a situation, or projects, ensuring they stay on track and adhere to certain rules or guidelines. The phrase originates from the practice of cowboys or ranchers who would literally ride their horses around a herd of cattle to keep them together and prevent any straying or misbehavior.
Similar spelling words for HERD
- herb,
- hearty,
- herod,
- herds,
- heyward,
- Hers,
- nerd,
- hard,
- Her,
- hera,
- here,
- he'd,
- Herrod,
- heward,
- heed,
- hearth,
- head,
- Herrada,
- herdt,
- heard,
- held,
- heredia,
- hero,
- heart,
- herda.
Conjugate verb Herd
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have herded
you
would have herded
he/she/it
would have herded
we
would have herded
they
would have herded
I
would have herd
you
would have herd
he/she/it
would have herd
we
would have herd
they
would have herd
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been herding
you
would have been herding
he/she/it
would have been herding
we
would have been herding
they
would have been herding
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would herd
you
would herd
he/she/it
would herd
we
would herd
they
would herd
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be herding
you
would be herding
he/she/it
would be herding
we
would be herding
they
would be herding
FUTURE
I
will herd
you
will herd
he/she/it
will herd
we
will herd
they
will herd
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be herding
you
will be herding
he/she/it
will be herding
we
will be herding
they
will be herding
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have herded
you
will have herded
he/she/it
will have herded
we
will have herded
they
will have herded
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been herding
you
will have been herding
he/she/it
will have been herding
we
will have been herding
they
will have been herding
IMPERATIVE
you
herd
we
let´s herd
to herd
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was herding
you
were herding
he/she/it
was herding
we
were herding
they
were herding
PAST PARTICIPLE
herded
PAST PERFECT
I
had herded
you
had herded
he/she/it
had herded
we
had herded
they
had herded
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been herding
you
had been herding
he/she/it
had been herding
we
had been herding
they
had been herding
PRESENT
I
herd
you
herd
he/she/it
herds
we
herd
they
herd
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am herding
you
are herding
he/she/it
is herding
we
are herding
they
are herding
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
herding
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have herded
you
have herded
he/she/it
has herded
we
have herded
they
have herded
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been herding
you
have been herding
he/she/it
has been herding
we
have been herding
they
have been herding
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
herd
SIMPLE PAST
I
herded
you
herded
he/she/it
herded
we
herded
they
herded
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