hearse

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 a wolf's teeth. This word was absorbed into Latin as hirpex, denoting, with reference to the implement's teeth, a large rake. This entered Old French in the form herce, meaning 'harrow'. In English a hearse was originally a triangular frame similar in shape to an ancient harrow, designed to hold candles. From this it became an elaborate framework or canopy constructed over the coffin of an important person prior to their funeral. By the middle of the 17th century the word referred to a carriage built to carry a coffin, from which evolved the modern hearse, or funeral vehicle.

English new terms 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 — (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… …   Etymology dictionary

  • 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

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