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Harpocʹrates (4 syl.)

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The Greek form of the Egyptian god Har-pi-kruti (Horus the Child), made by the Greeks and Romans the god of silence. This arose from a pure misapprehension. It is an Egyptian god, and was represented with itsfinger on its mouth,” to indicate youth, but the Greeks thought it was a symbol of silence.

“I assured my mistress she might make herself perfectly easy on that score [his mentioning a certain matter to anyone], for I was the Harpocrates of trusty valets.”—Gil Blas, iv. 2 (1715).

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Haro
Harold the Dauntless
Harold’s Stones
Haroot and Maroot
Haroun al Raschid
Harp
Harpagon (A)
Harpalice
Harpe
Harpies
Harpocrates
Harridan
Harrier
Harrington
Harris
Harry (To) = to harass
Harry
Harry Soph
Hart
Hart Royal
Hart of Grease (A)