hearse

hearse
hearse (n.) c.1300 (late 13c. in Anglo-Latin), "flat framework for candles, hung over a coffin," from O.Fr. herce "long rake, harrow," from M.L. hercia, from L. hirpicem (nom. hirpex) "harrow," from Oscan hirpus "wolf," supposedly in allusion to its teeth. Or the Oscan word may be related to L. hirsutus "shaggy, bristly." The funeral display so called because it resembled a harrow, a large rake for breaking up soil. For spelling, see HEAD (Cf. head). Sense extended to other temporary frameworks built over dead people, then to "vehicle for carrying a body," a sense first recorded 1640s.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Hearse — (h[ e]rs), n. [See {Herse}.] 1. A framework of wood or metal placed over the coffin or tomb of a deceased person, and covered with a pall; also, a temporary canopy bearing wax lights and set up in a church, under which the coffin was placed… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hearse — Hearse, v. t. To inclose in a hearse; to entomb. [Obs.] Would she were hearsed at my foot. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hearse — (h[ e]rs), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A hind in the second year of its age. [Eng.] Wright. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hearse — Allgemeine Informationen Genre(s) Melodic Death Metal, Death ’n’ Roll Gründung 2001 Website …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • hearse — [hə:s US hə:rs] n [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: herce frame for holding candles, farm tool for breaking up soil , from Latin hirpex] a large car used to carry a dead body in a ↑coffin at a funeral …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • hearse — [ hɜrs ] noun count a large car used for carrying a dead person in a COFFIN …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • hearse — ► NOUN ▪ a vehicle for conveying the coffin at a funeral. ORIGIN originally denoting a latticework canopy placed over the coffin of an important person in church: from Old French herce harrow, frame , from Latin hirpex rake …   English terms dictionary

  • hearse — [hʉrs] n. [ME herce < OFr, a harrow, grated portcullis < L hirpex, a large rake with iron teeth < dial (Sabine) irpus, wolf (hence, lit., wolf tooth device)] 1. an automobile or carriage, used in a funeral for carrying the corpse 2. a) a …   English World dictionary

  • Hearse — For the extreme metal band, see Hearse (band) A hearse is a funeral vehicle, a conveyance for the coffin from e.g. a church to a cemetery, a similar burial site, or a crematorium. In the funeral trade, they are often called funeral… …   Wikipedia

  • hearse — [hə:s] noun a vehicle for conveying the coffin at a funeral. Word History The modern meaning of the word hearse is far removed from that of its ancient roots. It derives ultimately from a word in an extinct language of southern Italy, signifying… …   English new terms dictionary

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