shepherd

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English schepherde, from Old English sċēaphierde, a compound of sċēap (“sheep”) and hierde (“herdsman”), equivalent to modern sheep +‎ herd (“herder”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈʃɛpəd/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈʃɛpəɹd/ Hyphenation: shep‧herd === Noun === shepherd (plural shepherds) (countable) A person who tends sheep, especially a grazing flock. Synonym: pastor (now rare) Hyponym: shepherdess (f.) A male sheep tender Coordinate term: shepherdess (f.) (countable, figurative) Someone who watches over, looks after, or guides somebody. Hyponym: shepherdess (f.) 1769, Oxford Standard text, Bible (King James), Psalms 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. A male watcher/guardian/guider/leader Coordinate term: shepherdess (f.) (Christianity, countable, figurative) The pastor of a church; one who guides others in religion. Hyponym: shepherdess (f.) A male pastor Coordinate term: shepherdess (f.) (countable, poetic) A swain; a rustic male lover. (countable) A German Shepherd. ==== Coordinate terms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === shepherd (third-person singular simple present shepherds, present participle shepherding, simple past and past participle shepherded) (transitive) To watch over; to guide. (transitive, Australian rules football) To obstruct an opponent from getting to the ball, either when a teammate has it or is going for it, or if the ball is about to bounce through the goal or out of bounds. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== == Scots == === Etymology === Inherited from Middle Scots scheiphird, schiphird, from Middle English schepherde, from Old English sċēaphierde; equivalent to sheep +‎ herd, hird (“herdsman, herder”). === Noun === shepherd (plural shepherds) A shepherd (sheep herder or analogous guiding individual)