Middle English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Old English sċēaphierde, from Proto-West Germanic *skāpahirdī; equivalent to schep (sheep) +‎ herde (herder).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈʃeːpˌ(h)eːrd(ə)/, /ˈʃɛpˌ(h)eːrd(ə)/, /-(h)iːrd(ə)/
  • (with reduction) IPA(key): /ˈʃɛpˌ(h)ɛrd(ə)/, /ˈʃɛpərd(ə)/

Noun edit

schepherde (plural schepherdes or (rare) schepherden)

  1. shepherd (person who herds sheep)
  2. (figuratively) A spiritual leader or guide.

Descendants edit

  • English: shepherd
  • Scots: shepherd

References edit