n. & v.
--n.
1. (fem. shepherdess) a person employed to tend sheep, esp. at pasture.
2 a member of the clergy etc. who cares for and guides a congregation.
--v.tr.
1. a tend (sheep etc.) as a shepherd. b guide (followers etc.).
2 marshal or drive (a crowd etc.) like sheep.
Phrases and idioms:
the Good Shepherd Christ. shepherd dog a sheepdog. shepherd's crook a staff with a hook at one end used by shepherds. shepherd's needle a white-flowered common plant, Scandix pecten-veneris, with spiny fruit. shepherd's pie a dish of minced meat under a layer of mashed potato. shepherd's plaid
1. a small black and white check pattern.
2 woollen cloth with this pattern. shepherd's purse a white-flowered hairy cornfield plant, Capsella bursa-pastoris, with triangular or cordate pods.
Etymology: OE sceaphierde (as SHEEP, HERD)