[Grammar] The god of commerce, invention, cunning, and theft, who also served as messenger

[kadioguy]

Hermes
n.
Greek Mythology

The god of commerce, invention, cunning, and theft, who also served as messenger, scribe, and herald for the other gods.

https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=HERMES

The son of Zeus and Maia, the messenger of the gods, and god of merchants, thieves, and oratory. He was portrayed as a herald equipped for travelling, with broad-brimmed hat, winged shoes, and a winged rod.

https://www.lexico.com/definition/hermes

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1. Why there isn't a "the" before the "messenger" in the first definition, while there is one in the second?

2. Why there isn't a "the" before the "god" in the second definition?

 

[jutfrank]

1. Why isn't there a "the" before the "messenger" in the first definition, while there is one in the second?

Both forms (zero and definite article) have quite similar uses. We use a zero article when we want to say that somebody is filling a unique position in an official capacity.

2. Why isn't there a "the" before the "god" in the second definition?

For the same basic reason. In this case, the writer of the definition considers that 'god of merchants' is a unique position, filled by Hermes in an official capacity.

 

[kadioguy]

Thank you, jutfrank.

Here are two more questions:
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1.

The son of Zeus and Maia, the messenger of the gods, and god of merchants, thieves, and oratory. He was portrayed as a herald equipped for travelling, with broad-brimmed hat, winged shoes, and a winged rod.
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Is the article/determiner optional? That is,

... with (a) broad-brimmed hat ...

I'll make another example:

The boy came in with (a) phone in (his) hand.

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2.

Hermes

son of Zeus and Maia in Greek mythology; Olympian messenger and god of commerce, markets, and roads; protector of herdsmen, travelers, and rogues; giver of good luck, god of secret dealings, and conductor of the dead. from Greek Hermes, a word of unknown origin. He was identified by the Romans with their Mercury.

https://www.etymonline.com/word/hermes
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In this definition even the article before the "son" was omitted, so does the writer also think that "son" is a unique position, though that is not in an official capacity?

(Cross-posted with tedmc when edited the second times)

 

[tedmc]

I don't think "a" is optional. It is consistent with his role as a herald with a ...

 

[kadioguy]

I don't think "a" is optional. It is consistent with his role as a herald with a ...

But I am afraid that the "a" doesn't exist in the original.

 

[Tarheel]

I would use the determiner in a broad-brimmed hat.

 

[kadioguy]

If you don't mind, could you please join this discussion on the two questions in post #3, members?

What do you think about my opinions in that post?

 

[kadioguy]

The son of Zeus and Maia, the messenger of the gods, and god of merchants, thieves, and oratory. He was portrayed as a herald equipped for travelling, with broad-brimmed hat, winged shoes, and a winged rod.

I have a new thought. Could it be this structure?

"with a XYZ"

"with (a) broad-brimmed hat, (a pair of) winged shoes, and a winged rod."

The "a" has been said at the third of the list, so the first two are understood.

Is that right?

Hermes

son of Zeus and Maia in Greek mythology; Olympian messenger and god of commerce, markets, and roads; protector of herdsmen, travelers, and rogues; giver of good luck, god of secret dealings, and conductor of the dead. from Greek Hermes, a word of unknown origin. He was identified by the Romans with their Mercury.

https://www.etymonline.com/word/hermes
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In this definition even the article before the "son" was omitted, so does the writer also think that "son" is a unique position, though that is not in an official capacity?

For this one question, I still hold this assumption.

What do you think? :-?

 

[GoesStation]

I have a new thought. Could it be this structure?

"with an XYZ"

"with (a) broad-brimmed hat, (a pair of) winged shoes, and a winged rod."

The "a" has been said at the third of the list, so the first two are understood.

Is that right?

No. The article isn't needed with the final noun either.

 

[kadioguy]

No. The article isn't needed with the final noun either.

"with (a) broad-brimmed hat, (a pair of) winged shoes, and a winged rod."

Do you think that the three articles are all optional? Tell me more, please.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

. . . In this definition even the article before the "son" was omitted, so does the writer also think that "son" is a unique position, though that is not in an official capacity? . . .

I think you need to go back to Jutfrank's explanation.

He is son of Hermes. Depending on how many sons Hermes has, he is either a son or the son of Hermes.

My simpler explanation is that since, for that particular piece of writing, it doesn't matter how many sons Hermes has, we don't need an article to tell us.

 

[kadioguy]

No. The article isn't needed with the final noun either.

I have another new idea.

Maybe the first two modifiers were omitted for saving space. The entry is in a dictionary after all.

(Am I beating a dead horse? I hope not. I am still trying to figure it out. :-?)

 

[GoesStation]

I have another new idea.

Maybe the first two modifiers were omitted for saving space. The entry is in a dictionary after all.

(Am I beating a dead horse? I hope no. I am still trying to figure it out. :-?)

Yes. The horse is dead and ready for a decent burial. And no, choosing not to use articles is a matter of concise expression. It isn't to save space.