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herma

 

Definitions from the Web

Herma

A herma is a rectangular stone or pillar with a carved head or bust on top, typically used in ancient Greece as a boundary marker or as a protective deity at crossroads and entrances.

Senses and Usages:


1. Noun: Boundary Marker

In ancient Greece, hermas were commonly used as boundary markers to define property lines or borders.

Example Sentence: The ancient Greeks used hermas to mark the boundaries of their city-states.


2. Noun: Protective Deity

Herma statues were believed to possess protective powers and were often placed at crossroads and entrances to guard against evil spirits.

Example Sentence: People would place herma statues at their doorways to keep away evil spirits.


3. Noun: Carved Stone or Pillar

A herma refers to a rectangular stone or pillar, usually with a carved head or bust on top, resembling the ancient Greek boundary markers.

Example Sentence: The museum displayed a collection of ancient hermas that had been excavated from various archaeological sites.


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