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The place or office of direction or administration. "The helm of the Commonwealth." Melmoth.

An officer whose business was to denounce or proclaim war, to challenge to battle, to proclaim peace, and to bear messages from the commander of an army. He was invested with a sacred and inviolable character.

The art or office of a herald; the art, practice, or science of recording genealogies, and blazoning arms or ensigns armorial; also, of marshaling cavalcades, processions, and public ceremonies.

The office of a herald. Selden.

Exalted in social standing or general estimation, or in rank, reputation, office, and the like; dignified; as, she was welcomed in the highest circles. He was a wight of high renown. Shak.

The office, dignity, or position of a high priest.

A superior officer or official; -- used chiefly in pl. [Slang]

The office of an historiographer. Saintsbury.

A civil officer charged with the duty of impounding hogs running at large. [New Eng.] Bartlett.

To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office. This noble merchant held a noble house. Chaucer. Of him to hold his seigniory for a yearly tribute. Knolles. And now the strand, and now the plain, they held. Dryden.

' day, Childermas day. -- Holy Land, Palestine, the birthplace of Christianity. -- Holy office, the Inquisition. -- Holy of holies (Script.), the innermost apartment of the Jewish tabernacle or temple, where the ark was kept, and where no person entered, except the high priest once a year. -- Holy One. (a) The Supr…

tablishment or factory for foreign trade in China, as formerly at Canton; a succession of offices connected by a common passage and used for business or storage. Hong merchant, one of the few Chinese merchants who, previous to the treaty of 1842, formed a guild which had the exclusive privilege of trading with foreigne…

A title applied to the holders of certain honorable civil offices, or to persons of rank; as, His Honor the Mayor. See Note under Honorable.

of the revenue derived from trade and navigation. [China] Hoppo men, Chinese customhouse officers.

The character, personality, or office of a hostess. Shak.

animals in distress, and to treat all creatures with kindness and tenderness. "The common offices of humanity and friendship." Locke.

The person whose office it is to manage the chase or to look after the hounds. L'Estrange. Huntsman's cup (Bot.), the sidesaddle flower, or common American pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea).

A man in private station, as distinguished from one holding a public office. [Obs.] St. Austin affirmed that the plain places of Scripture are sufficient to all laics, and all idiots or private persons. Jer. Taylor.

The state or office of an imitator. "Servile imitatorship." Marston.

Freedom or exemption from any charge, duty, obligation, office, tax, imposition, penalty, or service; a particular privilege; as, the immunities of the free cities of Germany; the immunities of the clergy.