herm

[ hurm ]

noun

1. a monument consisting of a four-sided shaft tapering inward from top to bottom and bearing a head or bust; those of Hermes usually had an erect penis, which passersby stroked for luck.

herm

/ hɜːm; ˈhɜːmə /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) a stone head of Hermes surmounting a square stone pillar

Word History and Origins

Origin of herm¹

1570–80; < Latin hermēs < Greek hermês statue of Hermes

Word History and Origins

Origin of herm¹

C16: from Latin herma, from Greek hermēs Hermes ¹

Example Sentences

But if he had not come I could not have got to Herm before they set their watch boats.

From Project Gutenberg

And—say, Phil, mon gars,—don't let that young cub from Herm get ahead of you.

From Project Gutenberg

Fine doings there are on Herm, they say, when they're all at home there.

From Project Gutenberg

So I crept round the south of Herm and drew into the little roadstead on the west.

From Project Gutenberg

Did you not say that the pretty damsel of Herm had a father?

From Project Gutenberg