hexakisoctahedron 
+ OKTU, = E. ciijht, + iA/Mi, seat, base.] Same 
as liexoctahedron. 
hexameral (hek-sam'e-ral), a. [As /K./V/W- 
rroiix + -a/.] Consisting of six parts ; hex- 
amerous: as, a hexameral arrangement of the 
septa. 
hexamerous (hek-sam'e-rus), a. [<Gr. ei-a/tf- 
!>>/<;, of six parts, < tf, = E. six, + /Jtpof, a part.] 
Divided into six segments; consisting of six 
parts. Specifically (a) In but. , having the parts of the 
flower six in number, or a multiple of six. (ft) In zoo?., 
having a hexameral arrangement of the radiating parts or 
organs, as the Hexacoralta or Hexactincai. 
The finally hexattu'rous Anthozoon passes through a te- 
tramerous and an octomerous stage. 
Huxley, Anat. Invert., p. 143. 
hexameter (hek-sam'e-ter). a. and . [Early 
mod. E. also exameter; ME. exametron (n.); < 
L. hexameter, also hexametrus, < Gr. et-dfterpof, 
of six measures or feet (neut. iS-dfierpov, L. Itex- 
ametrum, a verse of six feet), < ff, = E. six, + 
fierpov, measure.] I. a. In pros., containing 
or consisting of six measures ; having a length 
of six feet or six dipodies; especially, com- 
posed of six feet, of which the first four are 
dactyls or spondees, the fifth ordinarily a dac- 
tyl, sometimes a spondee, and the last a spon- 
dee or trochee : as, a hexameter line, verse, or 
period. 
The Poets [style] was by verse exameter for his grauitie 
and statelinesse most allowable. 
Puttenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 83. 
II. w. In pros., a period, line, or verse con- 
sisting of six measures. In books on modern versi- 
fication, the "measure" and "foot" being ordinarily as- 
sumed to be identical, the word hexameter is used as pre- 
cisely equivalent to hexajtody ; but according to the no- 
menclature of classical metrics, a hexameter is a group of 
six feet only in those classes of feet which are measured 
by single feet (monopodies). Since iambi, trochees, and 
anapests are measured by dipodies, an iambic, trochaic, 
or anapestic hexameter would be a group of twelve feet, 
a group of six such feet being a trimeter. The name hex- 
a meter is given by preeminence to the dactylic hexameter, 
also called the heroic or epic hexameter, or heroic or epic 
verse, from its use in Greek and Roman epic poetry from 
the earliest to the latest period. It is a compound verse 
consisting of two cola or members, either both of three 
feet or one of two feet and one of four feet. The heroic 
hexameter never consists of six dactyls, the last foot being 
always a spondee ( ), or, as the last syllable of a period 
may always be either long or short, a trochee (- ~) as a 
substitute for a spondee. Some authorities have regarded 
this meter as catalectic, so that the last foot would be a 
trochee by omission of the last syllable of the dactyl, or a 
spondee for the trochee. The fifth foot is rarely a spondee, 
but a spondee can always be used instead of a dactyl in any 
of the first four places. The ordinary form of the hex- 
ameter is accordingly - = o| w=>|_Oi|_wO|-w 
>* I ~. A verse with a spondee as fifth foot is said to be 
spondaic-, one consisting entirely of spondees holospon- 
daic, and one entirely (except the last foot) of dactyls halo- 
dactylic. The principal cesuras are the trochaic of the 
third foot, the penthemimeral, and the hephthcmimeral ; 
besides which the bucolic cesura or dieresis and the trithe- 
mimeral cesura are to be noted. See cesura. 
They ben versifyed comounly 
Of six feet, which men clepe exametron. 
Chaucer, Prol. to Monk's Tale, 1 91. 
The English verse which we call heroick consists of no 
more than ten syllables ; the Latin hexameter sometimes 
rises to seventeen. Dryden, Orig. and Prog, of Satire. 
In the hexameter rises the fountain's silvery column, 
In the pentameter aye falling in melody back. 
Coleridge, tr. of Schiller's Ovidian Elegiac Meter. 
Fancy, borne perhaps upon the rise 
And long roll of the Hexameter. 
Tennytion, Lucretius. 
Perlssosyllablc hexameter, in anc. pros., a verse con- 
sisting of a dactylic tetrameter and an ithyphallic (- ~ 
w | w w I ^w|_ww]|_w_^_w);a greater Archi- 
lochian. It was regarded by some ancient writers as a va- 
riation from the heroic hexameter made by inserting a re- 
dundant syllable (whence the epithet perissosyllabic) be- 
fore the last syllable of the filth foot in its dactylic form : 
thUS, -w~|-~w|-~w|_w~|_w(_)w|_w. 
hexametral (hek-sam'e-tral), a. [< hexameter 
+ -al.] Hexametric. Hobhouse. 
hexametric (hek-sa-met'rik), a. [< hexameter 
+ -ic.] Consisting of or written in six metri- 
cal feet. 
hexametrical (hek-sa-met'ri-kal), a. [< hex- 
ametric + -al.] Same as hexametric. 
Several hexametrical versions of the Iliad have already 
been mentioned. Jf. and Q., 7th ser., IV. 254. 
hexametrist (hek-sam'e-trist), n. [< hexameter 
+ -ist.] One who writes hexameters. 
Claudian, and even the few lines of Merobaudes, stand 
higher in purity, as in the life of poetry, than all the Chris- 
tian hexatnetrists. Milman. 
Hexanchidas (hek-sang'ki-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Hexanchus + -id(e.] A small family of selachi- 
ans, of the order Opistharthri, having 6 or 7 gill- 
sacs, a spiracle, a well-defined lateral line, only 
1 dorsal fin, no nictitating membrane, and di- 
versiform teeth ; the cow-sharks. It contains a 
few species. Also called Notidanidas. 
2820 
Hexanchus (hek-sang'kus), H. [NL., orig. 
llfj-ii HI-US (Rafinesque, 1810): so called in ref. 
to the contracted gill-slits; irreg. < Gr. ef, = E. 
Cow-shark ( Htxanchtti 
six, + a-j X clv j choke, constrict.] The typical ge- 
nus of the family Hexanchidce. 
hexander (hek-san'der), w. [< ML. Itexandrus: 
see hexandrous.] In the Linnean system of 
classification, a plant having six stamens. 
Hexandria (hek-san'dri-a), n. pi. [NL.: see 
Itexaitdronx.] In the Liunean system of botany, 
a class of plants having six stamens, which are 
all of equal or nearly equal length. It is thus dis- 
tinguished from the class Tetradi/namia, which has also 
six stamens, but of these four are longer than the other two. 
hexandrian (hek-san'dri-an), a. Same as hex- 
hexandrous (hek-san'drusj, . [< NL. hexan- 
drus, < Gr. ef, = E. six, + avr;p (dv6p-), male (in 
mod. bot. a stamen).] Having six stamens. 
Also hexandrious, hexandrian. 
hexane (hek'san), . [< Gr. if, = E. six, + 
-.] The sixth member (CgH^^) of the paraf- 
fin series of hydrocarbons. It is a liquid, boil- 
ing at about 60 C., found in various natural 
oils. 
hexangular (hek-sang'gu-lar), a. [< Gr. if, = 
E. six, + L. angultis, an angle.] Having six 
angles. 
The base was hexangular, finely ornamented with Gothic 
sculpture. Pennant, Tour, p. 217. 
hexapartite (hek-sa-par'tit), a. [< Gr. f, c , = E. 
six, + L. partitus, divided, < partire, divide, 
part.] 1. In arch., divided into six parts: ap- 
plied to a vault divided by its system of arching 
into six parts. 2. In zoiil., having six parts; 
hexamerous. 
hexapetaloid (hek-sa-pet'a-loid), a. [< Gr. ef, 
= E. six, + TrfTa/Mv, a leaf (in mod. bot. a pet- 
al), + n'rfoc, resemblance.] Having six colored 
;>arts like petals. [Rare.] 
Hexapetaloidese (hek-sa-pet-a-loi'de-e), n. pi. 
[NL., as hexapetaloid - -ea:] A division of 
petaloid monocotyledonous plants, proposed by 
Lindley in 1830, in which the number of petals 
or lobes of the perianth is six. 
hexapetalous (hek-sa-pet'a-lus), a. [< Gr. rf, = 
E. xix, + KCTatov, a leaf (in mod. bot. a petal).] 
In hot., having six petals or flower-leaves. 
hexaphyllous (hek-sa-fil'us), a. [< Gr. ff , = E. 
xix, + Jr/t/xw, a leaf.] In bot., having six leaves. 
Hexapla (hek'sa-plii), . [Gr. rd ci'oTrAa, neut. 
pi. of f j'djr/xiof, contr. EfowrAoiif, sixfold, < f , = 
E. six, + --n/Mif = L,. -pli(s, akin to E. -fold, q. v.] 
An edition of the Bible in six versions. The 
name is especially given to a collection of texts of the 
Old Testament collated by Origen. It contained in six 
parallel columns the Hebrew text in Hebrew characters and 
in (ireek characters, the Septuagint with critical emen- 
dations, and versions by Symmachus, Aquila, and Theodo- 
tion. There were also fragments of several other versions. 
hexaplar (hek'sa-plar), a. [< Hexapla + -r.] 
Sextuple; containing six columns; specifically 
(with a capital initial letter), of or pertaining 
to the Hexapla. 
hexaplaric (hek-sa-plar'ik), a. [< hexaplar + 
-ic.] Same as hexaplar. 
The old unrevised text [of the Septuagint], as it existed 
before Origen, has been usually called . . . the Vulgate ; 
that of Origen, the Hexaplaric. 
T. a. Hurne, Introd. to Study of Holy Script, II. 62. 
hexaplex (hek'sa-pleks), a. [< Gr. ef, = L. sex 
= E. six, T L. -plex, as in duplex, etc. : see du- 
plex. The proper form from the Gr. would be 
*hexaple.~] Sixfold; sextuple. [Rare.] 
hexapod (hek'sa-pod), a. and n. [< NL. hexa- 
pas (-pod-), < Gr. tfdirouf (-7ro<5-), having six feet 
(used with ref. to meter: see hexapody), < ef, = 
E. six, + TToi'f (TTO(!-) = E. foot.] I. a. Having 
six feet, as any adult true insect ; specifically, 
pertaining to or having the characters of the 
Hexapoda ; hexapodous. 
H. n. One of the Hexapoda; a true six- 
footed insect. 
Also hexapode, hexapodan. 
Hexapoda (hek-sap'o-da), . pi. [NL., neut. pi. 
of hexapus (-pod-) : see hexapod.] 1. The true 
insects; the arthropods which have six feet. 
Probably more than three fourths of the animal kingdom 
belong to this group. They form the class Insecta (which 
see), having three pairs of legs when adult, distinct head, 
thorax, and abdomen, two antennee, trachea! respiration, 
and distinction of sex. 
hexastyle 
In all \Uexii j,u:<t] there are never more nor less than 
six legs, bnt theforelegs are sometimes rudimentary. The 
leg consists of five parts, coxa, trouhanter, femur, tibia, and 
tarsus. Patent, 7ool. Class., p. 103. 
2. A division of butterflies containing those 
which have all six legs fitted for walking: op- 
posed to Tetrapoda. 
hexapodan (hek-sap'o-dan), ii. and H. Same 
as hexapod. 
hexapode (hek'sa-pod), a. and . Same as 
heiapod. This is the common orthography in 
the older authors. 
hexapodous (hek-sap'o-dus), a. [As hexapod 
+ -mix.] Having six feet ; hexapod: as, a hex- 
apodous insect. , 
hexapody (hek-sap'o-di), . [< Gr. "i^airofiin, 
a hexapody, < ei-dirovf, having six feet : see hex- 
aj}od. Ct.dipody.] Inpros., a group, series, or 
verse consisting of six feet. According to the prin- 
ciples of classical metrics, only a trochaic, iambic, or logaoe- 
die hexapody can form a single series or colon, a succession 
of feet of other classes, as of dactyls, anapests, Cretics, 
Ionics, etc., being divisible into more than one colon. A 
trochaic or iambic hexapody is a trimeter. A hexapody of 
feet of other classes, united to form a single period or line, 
is a hexameter. See hexameter. 
hexaprostyle (hek'sa-pro-stil), a. [< Gr. ff, = 
E. six, + TiyjooruAof , with pillars in front : see 
prostyle. Cf. hexastyle. ] In arc h . , having a por- 
tico of six columns in front : said of a building. 
[Rare.] 
hexapsalmus, hexapsalmos (hek-sap-sal'mus, 
-mos), n. [LGr. e^dtfia'A/^of, consisting of six 
psalms, < Gr. tf, = E. six, + ^a'A/jof, a song sung 
to the harp, a psalm: see psalm.] In the Gr. 
Ch., a group of six invariable psalms (Ps. iii., 
xxxviii., Ixiii., Ixxxviii., ciii., cxliii., according 
to the numbering in English Bibles) said daily 
at lauds (orthron), in the earlier part of that 
office. 
hexapterous (hek-sap'te-rus), a. [< Gr. ff, = 
E. six, + jrTfpov, a wing, j Having six wings or 
wing-like parts, as an animal or a plant. 
hexasemic (hek-sa-se'mik), . [< LL. hexase- 
mus, < Gr. f^datifiof, having six more?, < tf, = E. 
six, + aiijia, a sign, mark, aj/ficiov, a sign, mark, 
unit of time, mora ; cf. disemic.] In anc. pros. : 
(a) Containing or amounting to six semeia or 
units of time ; having or constituting a magni- 
tude of six moree or normal shorts: as, a Iiexa- 
semic f oot or dipody ; hexasemic magnitude. (6) 
Consisting of or comprising feet of six semeia 
or times: as, the hexasemic class or epiploce. 
hexastemonous (hek-sa-stem'o-nus), a. [< Gr. 
f f , = E. six, + arr/fujv, warp, taken as ' stamen ' : 
see stamen."] In bot., having six stamens. 
hexaster (hek-sas'ter), n. [NL., < Gr. ej, = E. 
six, + dari/p = E. star: see aster 1 and star.] In 
sponges, a star or stellate spicule with six gen- 
erally equal rays. Varieties of the hexaster, accord- 
ing to the character of the ends of the rays, are known as 
the oxyhexaster, discohexaster.graphiohexaster, floricome, 
and plumicome. 
Hexasterophora (hek-sas-te-rof'o-ra), n. pi. 
[NL., neut. pi. of hexasterophorm : see hex- 
asterophorous.] A tribe of silicious sponges 
containing the glass-sponges. See Hexactinel- 
lid<t. 
hexasterophorous (hek-sas-te-rof'o-rus), a. 
[< NL. hexasterophorns, < hexaxter -t- L. ferre = 
E. bear 1 .] Provided with hexasters; specifi- 
cally, pertaining to the Hexasterophora, or hav- 
ing their characters. 
hexastich (hek'sa-stik), n. [Also hexastichon 
(q. y.); formerly liexastick; < L. hexastichus, < 
Gr. ffdo-n^of, of six rows, lines, or verses, < ff, 
= E. six, + arixof, row, line, verse.] In pros., 
a strophe, stanza, or poem consisting of six 
lines. 
Dryden . . . furnished Tonson with a well-known hex- 
astick, which has ever since generally accompanied the 
engraved portraits of Milton. Malone, Dryden. 
hexastichon (hek-sas'ti-kon), H. [< Gr. <ffd<rn- 
X<n>, neut. of e^danxof, of six lines: see hex- 
astich.] Same as hexastich. 
Julius Ceesar Scaliger hath written this hextistichon in 
praise of Paris. Coryat, Crudities, I. 27. 
hexastichous (hek-sas'ti-kus), a. [< Gr. <?fd- 
arixof, of six rows: see hexastich.] In bot., 
having the parts arranged in six vertical ranks 
or rows. 
hexastylar (hek'sa-stl-lar), a. [< hexustyle + 
-ac 3 .] In arch., having six columns in front. 
hexastyle (hek'sa-stll), a. [< L. hexastylus, < 
Gr. ffdffrtviof, witt six columns in front, ' ff, = 
E. six, + orivtof, column: see style 2 .] In arch., 
having six columns: said of a portico or a 
temple having that number of columns in the 
front. The epithet implies nothing as to the presence 
