Herd

herd [ hurd ]

noun  (plural herds)

Definition:   1. large group of domestic animals: a large number of domestic animals, especially cattle, often of the same breed, that are kept, driven, or reared together 2. large group of wild animals: a large number of wild animals of the same kind that live, feed, and travel as a group 3. large group of people: a large group of people, often with a common interest, purpose, or bond herds of eager shoppers 4. ordinary people acting as group: ordinary people considered as acting or thinking as a group and lacking the ability to think as individuals ( disapproving ) She was never one to follow the herd.

verb  (3rd person present singular herds, present participle herding, past and past participle herded)

Definition:   1. transitive verb control group of animals: to drive, keep, or look after domestic animals as a group 2. transitive verb move or collect group: to move people or animals somewhere as a group, or collect them into one We were herded onto buses. 3. intransitive verb form or move in group: to gather together or go somewhere as a group [ Old English heord< Indo-European, 'row, group'] ride herd on somebody North America to supervise somebody strictly  

Encarta 2011-01-07 14:58