3 PRON Hers is sometimes used to refer to a country or nation. [FORMAL or WRITTEN ]
her|self ◆◆◆ /hə r se lf/ Herself is a third person singular reflexive pronoun. Herself is used when the object of a verb or preposition refers to the same person as the subject of the verb, except in meaning 5 . 1 PRON You use herself to refer to a woman, girl, or female animal. □ She let herself out of the room. □ Jennifer believes she will move out on her own when she is financially able to support herself. □ Robin didn't feel good about herself.
2 PRON In written English, herself is sometimes used to refer to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people dislike this use and prefer to use 'himself or herself' or 'themselves'. □ How can anyone blame her for actions for which she feels herself to be in no way responsible?
3 PRON Herself is sometimes used to refer to a country or nation. [FORMAL or WRITTEN ] □ Britain's dream of herself began to fade.
4 PRON You use herself to emphasize the person or thing that you are referring to. Herself is sometimes used instead of 'her' as the object of a verb or preposition. [EMPHASIS ] □ She's so beautiful herself. □ She herself was not a keen gardener.
he's /h I z, hiːz/ He's is the usual spoken form of 'he is' or 'he has', especially when 'has' is an auxiliary verb. □ He's working maybe twenty-five hours a week.
hesi|tant /he z I t ə nt/ ADJ [ADJ to-inf] If you are hesitant about doing something, you do not do it quickly or immediately, usually because you are uncertain, embarrassed, or worried. □ [+ about ] She was hesitant about coming forward with her story. ● hesi|tan|cy /he z I tənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT □ A trace of hesitancy showed in Dr. Stockton's eyes. ● hesi|tant|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Would you do me a favour?' she asked hesitantly.
hesi|tate /he z I te I t/ (hesitates , hesitating , hesitated )
1 VERB If you hesitate , you do not speak or act for a short time, usually because you are uncertain, embarrassed, or worried about what you are going to say or do. □ [V ] The phone rang. Catherine hesitated, debating whether to answer it. ● hesi|ta|tion /he z I te I ʃ ə n/ (hesitations ) N‑VAR □ Asked if he would go back, Mr Searle said after some hesitation, 'I'll have to think about that.'
2 VERB If you hesitate to do something, you delay doing it or are unwilling to do it, usually because you are not certain it would be right. If you do not hesitate to do something, you do it immediately. □ [V to-inf] Some parents hesitate to do this because they suspect their child is exaggerating.
3 VERB [with neg] You can use hesitate in expressions such as ' don't hesitate to call me ' or ' don't hesitate to contact us ' when you are telling someone that they should do something as soon as it needs to be done and should not worry about disturbing other people. □ [V to-inf] In the event of difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Department.
hesi|ta|tion /he z I te I ʃ ə n/ (hesitations )
1 N‑VAR Hesitation is an unwillingness to do something, or a delay in doing it, because you are uncertain, worried, or embarrassed about it. □ [+ in ] He promised there would be no more hesitations in pursuing reforms. □ …the prime minister's hesitation to accept a ceasefire.
2 → see also hesitate
3 PHRASE If you say that you have no hesitation in doing something, you are emphasizing that you will do it immediately or willingly because you are certain that it is the right thing to do. [EMPHASIS ] □ The board said it had no hesitation in unanimously rejecting the offer.
4 PHRASE If you say that someone does something without hesitation , you are emphasizing that they do it immediately and willingly. [EMPHASIS ] □ The great majority of players would, of course, sign the contract without hesitation.
hes|sian /he siən, [AM ] he ʃən/ N‑UNCOUNT Hessian is a thick, rough fabric that is used for making sacks. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use burlap
hetero|dox /he tərədɒks/ ADJ Heterodox beliefs, opinions, or ideas are different from the accepted or official ones. [FORMAL ]
hetero|geneous /he tərədʒiː niəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A heterogeneous group consists of many different types of things or people. [FORMAL ] □ …a rather heterogeneous collection of studies from diverse origins.
hetero|sex|ual /he təroʊse kʃuəl/ (heterosexuals )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A heterosexual relationship is a sexual relationship between a man and a woman.
2 ADJ Someone who is heterosexual is sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex. ● N‑COUNT Heterosexual is also a noun. □ Even red-blooded heterosexuals had to admit he was handsome. ● hetero|sexu|al|ity /he təroʊsekʃuæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …a challenge to the assumption that heterosexuality was 'normal'.
het up /he t ʌ p/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you get het up about something, you get very excited, angry, or anxious about it. [INFORMAL ]
heu|ris|tic /hjʊər I st I k/
1 ADJ A heuristic method of learning involves discovery and problem-solving, using reasoning and past experience. [TECHNICAL ]
2 ADJ A heuristic computer program uses rules based on previous experience in order to solve a problem, rather than using a mathematical procedure. [COMPUTING ]
3 → see also algorithm
hew /hjuː / (hews , hewing , hewed , hewed or hewn )
1 VERB If you hew stone or wood, you cut it, for example with an axe. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V n] He felled, peeled and hewed his own timber.