Herm
/hɜːrm/noun
A stone pillar or statue, often a head or bust mounted on a squared post, originally used in ancient Greece as a boundary marker and protective figure.
Did you know?A herm is named after Hermes, and the original Greek herms were apotropaic objects: they were meant to protect spaces by invoking a god associated with travel, luck, and boundaries.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἕρμα (hérma) / Ἑρμῆς (Hermês)
“A support, prop, or boundary marker; later associated with the god Hermes and his pillar-like images.”
Classical Greek
Greek
ἑρμῆς (hermês)
“A squared pillar surmounted by a head or bust, used as a roadside or boundary marker and protective symbol.”
Latin
Latin
herma
“A herm; a bust or head on a pillar, especially in decorative sculpture.”
Middle French
French
herme
“A sculptured pillar or terminal figure.”
16th Century
English
herm
“A sculptured pillar or boundary figure, especially one with a head or bust.”
Modern English
English
herm
“A stone pillar or statue with a head or bust, often used decoratively or as a boundary marker.”
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