herd
herd
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "herd" is /hɜːrd/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
hɜːr:
/h/ - voiceless aspirated velar stop
/ɜː/ - long open front unrounded vowel
d:
/d/ - voiced alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
The word "herd" can be used as a noun or a verb. Here are the word form variations:
Noun:
Singular: herd (a group of animals, especially cattle or sheep)
Plural: herds (multiple groups of animals)
Verb:
Base form: herd (to gather or drive animals together)
Past tense: herded
Past participle: herded
Present participle: herding
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A group of animals, especially cattle or sheep, that live and move together.
Synonyms: flock, pack, drove
Antonyms: individual, solitary
Verb
Definition: To gather or drive animals together into a herd.
Synonyms: gather, collect, corral
Antonyms: disperse, scatter
Adjective (informal)
Definition: Used to describe a person who is shy, timid, or easily influenced by others.
Synonyms: meek, submissive, docile
Antonyms: assertive, confident, independent
Examples of Use
In Books
Example: "The herd of wildebeest migrated across the vast African plains." (From a book about wildlife in Africa)
Example: "The sheep herder guided his flock through the narrow mountain pass." (From a novel set in a rural setting)
In Newspapers
Example: "Cattle ranchers in the Midwest are struggling to control their herds during the harsh winter." (From a news article about agricultural challenges)
Example: "The wildfire forced thousands of people to flee their homes, leaving herds of cattle stranded." (From a news report about a natural disaster)
In Online Publications
Example: "This blog post will teach you how to build a successful herd mentality in your team." (From a business blog)
Example: "The viral video shows a herd of elephants crossing a busy road." (From a social media post)
In Entertainment
Example: "In the movie The Lion King, Simba and his friends are part of a pride, which is a type of herd." (From a film analysis)
Example: "The video game Red Dead Redemption features players leading herds of cattle across the Wild West." (From a video game review)
In General Public Discourse
Example: "We need to work together as a herd to overcome this challenge." (From a motivational speech)
Example: "The herd mentality can lead to irrational decision-making." (From a discussion about group behavior)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Herd
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect."
— Mark Twain"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
— Friedrich Nietzsche"Herd mentality is just that—a mentality driven by fear and a desire to conform, not by intelligence or wisdom."
— Anonymous"The greatest enemy of the truth is very often not the lie—deliberate, contrived, and dishonest—but the myth—persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic."
— John F. Kennedy"There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other."
— Douglas Everett"A person with original ideas and independent thoughts is always in danger of being trampled by the herd."
— Albert Einstein (attributed)"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson"In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs, it is the rule."
— Friedrich Nietzsche"Herd behavior can sometimes be disastrous, as it often leads to panic, chaos, and irrational decisions."
— Anonymous"The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same."
— Stendhal
Etymology
The word "herd" comes from an Old English word called "heord," which meant "a keeper of cattle" or "a flock of sheep." This old word was related to another Old English word called "hyrd," which meant "to watch" or "to guard."
Over time, the meaning of "heord" changed from "keeper of cattle" to "a group of animals, especially cattle or sheep." This is the meaning we use today. The first known use of "herd" in this sense was in the 13th century.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Herd
Common Phrases:
Herd mentality: Following the crowd without thinking for oneself.
Herd instinct: The tendency of animals or people to move and act as a group.
Lesser-Known Phrases:
To be a lone wolf: To be independent and not part of a group.
To go off on one's own: To leave a group and do something independently.
Idioms with Synonyms:
To be a flock of sheep: To follow the crowd blindly.
To be a pack of wolves: To be a group of people who are aggressive and competitive.
To be a drove of cattle: To be a large, disorganized group of people.
Original Idioms:
To be a herd of cats: To be a group of people who are difficult to manage or control.
To be a herd of elephants: To be a large, clumsy group of people.
Why it's difficult to find many common idioms with "herd":
Limited scope of meaning: "Herd" is primarily associated with animals, limiting its use in figurative language.
Directness: The word is often used directly to refer to a group of animals, making it less suitable for idiomatic expressions.
Recent usage: The use of "herd mentality" in modern contexts has somewhat overshadowed other idiomatic uses.
Posts Related to Herd
Source Information
Definition of herd from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
