He had been Duke of Savoy, and after a very glorious
reign, took on him the habit of a hermit, and
retired into this solitary spot. --Addison.
2. A beadsman; one bound to pray for another. [Obs.] ``We
rest your hermits.'' --Shak.
{Hermit crab} (Zo["o]l.), a marine decapod crustacean of the
family {Pagurid[ae]}. The species are numerous, and belong
to many genera. Called also {soldier crab}. The hermit
crabs usually occupy the dead shells of various univalve
mollusks. See Illust. of {Commensal}.
{Hermit thrush} (Zo["o]l.), an American thrush ({Turdus
Pallasii}), with retiring habits, but having a sweet song.
{Hermit warbler} (Zo["o]l.), a California wood warbler
({Dendroica occidentalis}), having the head yellow, the
throat black, and the back gray, with black streaks.