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Hamadryads Nymphs of trees supposed to live in forest-trees, and die when the tree dies. (Greek, hama,
together with drus, a forest-tree.)
The nymphs of fruit-trees were called "Melides" or "Hamamelids."
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Harlot is said to be derived from Harlotta, the mother of William the Conqueror, but it is more likely to
be a corruption of horlet (a little hireling), "hore" being the past participle of hyran (to hire). It was once
applied to males as well as females. Hence Chaucer speaks of "a sturdy harlot ... that was her hostes
man." The word varlet is another form of it.
"He was gentil harlot, and a kinde;
A bettre felaw shulde man no wher finde
Chaucer: Canterbury Tales, prol. 649.
"The harlot king is quite beyond mine arm."
Shakespeare: Winter's Tale, ii. 3.
My dictionary says it was originally euphemism for whore, and now means prostitute
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Harrier (3 syl.). A dog for hare-hunting, whence the name.
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Haversack Strictly speaking is a bag to carry oats in. (See Haver-Cakes.) It now means a soldier's
ration-bag slung from the shoulder; a gunner's leather-case for carrying charges.
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Hawk and Handsaw I know a hawk from a handsaw. Handsaw is a corruption of hernshaw (a heron). I
know a hawk from a heron, the bird of prey from the game flown at. The proverb means, I know one
thing from another. (See Hamlet, ii. 2.)
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Heart A variety of the word core. (Latin, cord', the heart; Greek, kard'; Sanskrit, herd'; Anglo-Saxon,
heorte.)
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Heavy Man (The), in theatrical parlance, means an actor who plays foil to the hero, such as the king in
Hamlet, the mere foil to the prince; Iago is another "heavy man's" part as foil to Othello; the "tiger" in the
Ticket of Leave Man is another part for the "heavy man." Such parts preserve a degree of importance, but
never rise into passion.
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Henchman. Henchboy The Anglo-Saxon hinc is a servant or page; or perhaps henges-man, a
horse-man; henges or hengst, a horse.
I posted elsewhere about "henchman" but this is the first time I have found confirmation of
my theory that it began with the trusted armed retainer who led a knight's horse by its
bridal in crowded streets, so the knight could have both hands free to protect against an
assassination attempt.
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Hengist and Horsa. German, hengst (a stallion), and Horsa is connected with our Anglo-Saxon word
hors (horse). If the names of two brothers, probably they were given them from the devices borne on
their arms.
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Heretic means "one who chooses," and heresy means simply "a choice." A heretic is one who chooses his
own creed, and does not adopt the creed authorised by the national church
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