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shep·herd

(shĕpərd)

1. One who herds, guards, and tends sheep.

2. One who cares for and guides a group of people, as a minister or teacher.

3. A German shepherd.

tr.v. shep·herd·ed, shep·herd·ing, shep·herds

1. To herd or tend as a shepherd. See Synonyms at guide.

2. To guide or lead on a course: The counselors shepherded the campers toward the waterfront.

3. To direct or instruct in a certain manner: shepherded the student through algebra.

[Middle English shepherde, from Old English scēaphierde : scēap, sheep + hierde, herdsman.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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