herd 1
/herrd/ , n.
1. a number of animals kept, feeding, or traveling together; drove; flock: a herd of cattle; a herd of sheep; a herd of zebras.
2. Sometimes Disparaging. a large group of people: The star was mobbed by a herd of autograph seekers.
3. any large quantity: a herd of bicycles.
4. the herd , the common people; masses; rabble: He had no opinions of his own, but simply followed the herd.
5. ride herd on , to have charge or control of; maintain discipline over: He rode herd on 40 students in each class.
v.i.
6. to unite or go in a herd; assemble or associate as a herd.
[ bef. 1000; ME; OE heord; c. Goth hairda, G Herde ]
Syn. 1. See flock 1 . 2. crowd, mob.
Usage . See collective noun .
herd 2
/herrd/ , n.
1. a herdsman (usually used in combination): a cowherd; a goatherd; a shepherd.
v.t.
2. to tend, drive, or lead (cattle, sheep, etc.).
3. to conduct or drive (a group of people) to a destination: The teacher herded the children into the classroom.
[ bef. 900; ME herd ( e ), hirde, OE hierde; c. Goth hairdeis, G Hirt ( e ); deriv. of HERD 1 ]
Syn. 2. guard, protect, watch.