H H (āch), the eighth letter of the English alphabet, is classed among the consonants, and is formed with the mouth organs in the same position as that of the succeeding vowel. It is used with certain consonants to form digraphs representing sounds which are not found in the alphabet, as sh , th , &thlig; , as in shall , thing , &thlig;ine (for zh see §274); also, to modify the sounds of some other letters, as when placed after c and p, with the former of which it represents a compound sound like that of tsh , as in charm (written also tch as in catch ), with the latter, the sound of f , as in phase , phantom . In some words, mostly derived or introduced from foreign languages, h following c and g indicates that those consonants have the hard sound before e , i , and y , as in chemistry , chiromancy , chyle , Ghent , Ghibelline , etc.; in some others, ch has the sound of sh , as in chicane . See Guide to Pronunciation , §§ 153, 179, 181-3, 237-8.

The name (aitch) is from the French ache ; its form is from the Latin, and this from the Greek H, which was used as the sign of the spiritus asper (rough breathing) before it came to represent the long vowel, Greek η. The Greek H is from Phœnician, the ultimate origin probably being Egyptian. Etymologically H is most closely related to c ; as in English h orn, Latin c ornu, Greek ke`ras ; English h ele, transitive verb , con c eal; English h ide, Latin c utis, Greek ky`tos ; English h undred, Latin c entum, Greek "e- kat-on , Sanskrit ƈ ata.

H piece (Mining) , the part of a plunger pump which contains the valve.

H H (hä). (Mus.) The seventh degree in the diatonic scale, being used by the Germans for B natural. See B .

Ha Ha (hä) interj. [ Anglo-Saxon ] An exclamation denoting surprise, joy, or grief. Both as uttered and as written, it expresses a great variety of emotions, determined by the tone or the context. When repeated, ha, ha , it is an expression of laughter, satisfaction, or triumph, sometimes of derisive laughter; or sometimes it is equivalent to "Well, it is so."

Ha-has , and inarticulate hootings of satirical rebuke.

Carlyle.

Ha-ha Ha-ha" (hä*hä") noun [ See Haw-haw .] A sunk fence; a fence, wall, or ditch, not visible till one is close upon it. [ Written also haw- haw .]

Ha'penny Ha'"pen·ny (hā"pĕn*nȳ) noun A half-penny.

Haaf Haaf (häf) noun [ Of Scand. origin; confer Icelandic & Swedish haf the sea, Danish hav , perhaps akin to English haven .] The deepsea fishing for cod, ling, and tusk, off the Shetland Isles.

Haak Haak (hāk) noun (Zoology) A sea fish. See Hake . Ash.

Haar Haar (här) noun [ See Hoar .] A fog; esp., a fog or mist with a chill wind. [ Scot.] T. Chalmers.

Habeas corpus Ha"be·as cor"pus (hā"be*ăs kôr"pŭs). [ Latin you may have the body.] (Law) A writ having for its object to bring a party before a court or judge; especially, one to inquire into the cause of a person's imprisonment or detention by another, with the view to protect the right to personal liberty; also, one to bring a prisoner into court to testify in a pending trial. Bouvier.

Habendum Ha·ben"dum (hȧ*bĕn"dŭm) noun [ Latin , that must be had.] (Law) That part of a deed which follows the part called the premises , and determines the extent of the interest or estate granted; -- so called because it begins with the word Habendum . Kent.

Haberdash Hab"er·dash (hăb"ẽr*dăsh) intransitive verb [ See Haberdasher .] To deal in small wares. [ R.]

To haberdash in earth's base ware.

Quarles.

Haberdasher Hab"er·dash`er (-dăsh`ẽr) noun [ Prob. from Icelandic hapurtask trumpery, trifles, perhaps through French. It is possibly akin to English haversack , and to Icelandic taska trunk, chest, pocket, German tasche pocket, and the orig. sense was perhaps , peddler's wares.] 1. A dealer in small wares, as tapes, pins, needles, and thread; also, a hatter. [ Obsolete]

The haberdasher heapeth wealth by hats.

Gascoigne.

2. A dealer in drapery goods of various descriptions, as laces, silks, trimmings, etc.

Haberdashery Hab"er·dash`er·y (-ȳ) noun The goods and wares sold by a haberdasher; also (Fig.), trifles. Burke.

Haberdine Hab`er·dine" (hăb`ẽr*dēn" or hă"bẽr*dĭn) noun [ Dutch abberdaan , labberdaan ; or a French form, confer Old French habordeau , from the name of a Basque district, confer French Labourd , adj. Labourdin. The l was misunderstood as the French article.] A cod salted and dried. Ainsworth.

Habergeon Ha·ber"ge·on (hȧ*bẽr"je*ŏn or hăb"ẽr*jŭn) noun [ French haubergeon a small hauberk, dim. of Old French hauberc , French haubert . See Hauberk .] Properly, a short hauberk, but often used loosely for the hauberk. Chaucer.

Habilatory Hab"i·la·to·ry (hăb"ĭ*lȧ*to*rȳ) adjective Of or pertaining to clothing; wearing clothes. Ld. Lytton.

Habile Hab"ile (hăb"ĭl) adjective [ French habile , Latin habilis . See Able , Habit .] Fit; qualified; also, apt. [ Obsolete] Spenser.

Habiliment Ha·bil"i·ment (hȧ*bĭl"ĭ*m e nt) noun [ French habillement , from habiller to dress, clothe, orig., to make fit, make ready, from habile apt, skillful, Latin habilis . See Habile .] 1. A garment; an article of clothing. Camden.

2. plural Dress, in general. Shak.

Habilimented Ha·bil"i·ment·ed adjective Clothed. Taylor (1630).

Habilitate Ha·bil"i·tate (-tat) adjective [ Late Latin habilitatus , past participle of habilitare to enable.] Qualified or entitled. [ Obsolete] Bacon.

Habilitate Ha·bil"i·tate (-tāt) transitive verb To fit out; to equip; to qualify; to entitle. Johnson.

Habilitation Ha·bil`i·ta"tion (-tā"shŭn) noun [ Late Latin habilitatio : confer French habilitation .] Equipment; qualification. [ Obsolete] Bacon.

Hability Ha·bil"i·ty (hȧ*bĭl"ĭ*tȳ) noun [ See Ability .] Ability; aptitude. [ Obsolete] Robynson (More's Utopia).

Habit Hab"it (hăb"ĭt) noun [ Middle English habit , abit , F. habit from Latin habitus state, appearance, dress, from habere to have, be in a condition; probably akin to English have. See Have , and confer Able , Binnacle , Debt , Due , Exhibit , Malady. ] 1. The usual condition or state of a person or thing, either natural or acquired, regarded as something had, possessed, and firmly retained; as, a religious habit ; his habit is morose; elms have a spreading habit ; esp., physical temperament or constitution; as, a full habit of body.

2. (Biol.) The general appearance and manner of life of a living organism.

3. Fixed or established custom; ordinary course of conduct; practice; usage; hence, prominently, the involuntary tendency or aptitude to perform certain actions which is acquired by their frequent repetition; as, habit is second nature; also, peculiar ways of acting; characteristic forms of behavior.

A man of very shy, retired habits .

W. Irving.

4. Outward appearance; attire; dress; hence, a garment; esp., a closely fitting garment or dress worn by ladies; as, a riding habit .

Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy.

Shak.

There are, among the statues, several of Venus, in different habits .

Addison.

Syn. -- Practice; mode; manner; way; custom; fashion. -- Habit , Custom . Habit is a disposition or tendency leading us to do easily, naturally, and with growing certainty, what we do often; custom is external, being habitual use or the frequent repetition of the same act. The two operate reciprocally on each other. The custom of giving produces a habit of liberality; habits of devotion promote the custom of going to church. Custom also supposes an act of the will, selecting given modes of procedure; habit is a law of our being, a kind of "second nature" which grows up within us.

How use doth breed a habit in a man !

Shak.

He who reigns . . . upheld by old repute,
Consent, or custom .

Milton.

Habit Hab"it (hăb"ĭt) transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Habited ; present participle & verbal noun Habiting .] [ Middle English habiten to dwell, French habiter , from Latin habitare to have frequently, to dwell, intens. from habere to have. See Habit , noun ] 1. To inhabit. [ Obsolete]

In thilke places as they [ birds] habiten .

Rom. of R.

2. To dress; to clothe; to array.

They habited themselves like those rural deities.

Dryden.

3. To accustom; to habituate. [ Obsolete] Chapman.

Habitability Hab`it·a·bil"i·ty (- ȧ*bĭl"ĭ*tȳ) noun Habitableness.

Habitable Hab"it·a·ble (hăb"ĭt*ȧ*b'l) adjective [ French habitable , Latin habitabilis .] Capable of being inhabited; that may be inhabited or dwelt in; as, the habitable world. -- Hab"it*a*ble*ness , noun -- Hab"it*a*bly , adverb

Habitacle Hab"it·a·cle (hăb"ĭt*ȧ*k'l) noun [ French habitacle dwelling place, binnacle, Latin habitaculum dwelling place. See Binnacle , Habit , v. ] A dwelling place. Chaucer. Southey.

Habitan Ha`bi`tan" (ȧ`be`tä⊁") noun Same as Habitant , 2.

General Arnold met an emissary . . . sent . . . to ascertain the feelings of the habitans or French yeomanry.

W. Irwing.

Habitance Hab"it·ance (hăb"ĭt* a ns) noun [ Old French habitance , Late Latin habitantia .] Dwelling; abode; residence. [ Obsolete] Spenser.

Habitancy Hab"it·an·cy (- a n*sȳ) noun Same as Inhabitancy .

Habitant Hab"it·ant (- a nt) noun [ French habitant . See Habit , transitive verb ]

1. An inhabitant; a dweller. Milton. Pope.

2. [ French pron. ȧ`be`tä⊁"] An inhabitant or resident; -- a name applied to and denoting farmers of French descent or origin in Canada, especially in the Province of Quebec; -- usually in the plural.

The habitants or cultivators of the soil.

Parkman.

Habitat Hab"i·tat (hăb"ĭ*tăt) noun [ Latin , it dwells, from habitare . See Habit , transitive verb ] 1. (Biol.) The natural abode, locality or region of an animal or plant.

2. Place where anything is commonly found.

This word has its habitat in Oxfordshire.

Earle.

Habitation Hab`i·ta"tion (-tā"shŭn) noun [ French habitation , Latin habitatio .] 1. The act of inhabiting; state of inhabiting or dwelling, or of being inhabited; occupancy. Denham.

2. Place of abode; settled dwelling; residence; house.

The Lord . . . blesseth the habitation of the just.

Prov. iii. 33.

Habitator Hab"i·ta`tor (hăb"ĭ*tā`tẽr) noun [ Latin ] A dweller; an inhabitant. [ Obsolete] Sir T. Browne.

Habited Hab"it·ed (-ĭt*ĕd) past participle & adjective 1. Clothed; arrayed; dressed; as, he was habited like a shepherd.

2. Fixed by habit; accustomed. [ Obsolete]

So habited he was in sobriety.

Fuller.

3. Inhabited. [ Archaic]

Another world, which is habited by the ghosts of men and women.

Addison.

Habitual Ha·bit"u·al (hȧ*bĭt"u* a l; 135) adjective [ Confer French habituel , Late Latin habitualis . See Habit , noun ] 1. Formed or acquired by habit or use.

An habitual knowledge of certain rules and maxims.

South.

2. According to habit; established by habit; customary; constant; as, the habitual practice of sin.

It is the distinguishing mark of habitual piety to be grateful for the most common and ordinary blessings.

Buckminster.

Syn. -- Customary; accustomed; usual; common; wonted; ordinary; regular; familiar.

-- Ha*bit"u*al*ly , adverb -- Ha*bit"u*al*ness , noun

Habituate Ha·bit"u·ate (-āt) transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Habituated (- ā`tĕd); present participle & verbal noun Habituating (-ā`tĭng).] [ Latin habituatus , past participle of habituare to bring into a condition or habit of body: confer French habituer . See Habit .] 1. To make accustomed; to accustom; to familiarize.

Our English dogs, who were habituated to a colder clime.

Sir K. Digby.

Men are first corrupted . . . and next they habituate themselves to their vicious practices.

Tillotson.

2. To settle as an inhabitant. [ Obsolete] Sir W. Temple.

Habituate Ha·bit"u·ate (-at) adjective Firmly established by custom; formed by habit; habitual. [ R.] Hammond.

Habituation Ha·bit`u·a"tion (-ā"shŭn) noun [ Confer French habituation .] The act of habituating, or accustoming; the state of being habituated.

Habitude Hab"i·tude (hăb"ĭ*tūd) noun [ French, from Latin habitudo condition. See Habit .] 1. Habitual attitude; usual or accustomed state with reference to something else; established or usual relations. South.

The same ideas having immutably the same habitudes one to another.

Locke.

The verdict of the judges was biased by nothing else than their habitudes of thinking.

Landor.

2. Habitual association, intercourse, or familiarity.

To write well, one must have frequent habitudes with the best company.

Dryden.

3. Habit of body or of action. Shak.

It is impossible to gain an exact habitude without an infinite number of acts and perpetual practice.

Dryden.

Habitué Ha`bi`tu`é" (ȧ`be`tu`a") noun [ French, past participle of habituer . See Habituate .] One who habitually frequents a place; as, an habitué of a theater.

Habiture Hab"i·ture (hăb"ĭ*tur; 135) noun Habitude. [ Obsolete]

Habitus Hab"i·tus (-tŭs) noun [ Latin ] (Zoology) Habitude; mode of life; general appearance.

Hable Ha"ble (hā"b'l) adjective See Habile . [ Obsolete] Spenser.

Habnab Hab"nab (hăb"năb) adverb [ Hobnob .] By chance. [ Obsolete]

Hachure Hach"ure (hăch"ur) noun [ French, from hacher to hack. See Hatching .] (Fine Arts) A short line used in drawing and engraving, especially in shading and denoting different surfaces, as in map drawing. See Hatching .

Hacienda Ha`ci·en"da (ä`the*an"dȧ or hä`sĭ*ĕn"dȧ) noun [ Spanish , from OSp. facienda employment, estate, from Latin facienda , plural of faciendum what is to be done, from facere to do. See Fact .] A large estate where work of any kind is done, as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, or raising of animals; a cultivated farm, with a good house, in distinction from a farming establishment with rude huts for herdsmen, etc.; -- a word used in Spanish-American regions.

Hack Hack (hăk) noun [ See Hatch a half door.] 1. A frame or grating of various kinds; as, a frame for drying bricks, fish, or cheese; a rack for feeding cattle; a grating in a mill race, etc.

2. Unburned brick or tile, stacked up for drying.

Hack Hack transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Hacked (hăkt); present participle & verbal noun Hacking .] [ Middle English hakken , Anglo-Saxon haccian ; akin to Dutch hakken , German hacken , Danish hakke , Swedish hacka , and perhaps to English hew . Confer Hew to cut, Haggle .] 1. To cut irregulary, without skill or definite purpose; to notch; to mangle by repeated strokes of a cutting instrument; as, to hack a post.

My sword hacked like a handsaw.

Shak.

2. Fig.: To mangle in speaking. Shak.

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