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Webster 1913 Edition


Herse

Herse

(hẽrs)
,
Noun.
[F.
herse
harrow, portcullis, OF.
herce
, LL.
hercia
, L.
hirpex
, gen.
hirpicis
, and
irpex
, gen.
irpicis
, harrow. The LL.
hercia
signifies also a kind of candlestick in the form of a harrow, having branches filled with lights, and placed at the head of graves or cenotaphs; whence
herse
came to be used for the grave, coffin, or chest containing the dead. Cf.
Hearse
.]
1.
(Fort.)
A kind of gate or portcullis, having iron bars, like a harrow, studded with iron spikes. It is hung above gateways so that it may be quickly lowered, to impede the advance of an enemy.
Farrow.
2.
See
Hearse
, a carriage for the dead.
3.
A funeral ceremonial.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

Herse

,
Verb.
T.
Same as
Hearse
,
Verb.
T.
Chapman.

Webster 1828 Edition


Herse

HERSE

,
Noun.
hers.
1.
In fortification, a lattice or portcullis in the form of a harrow, set with iron spikes. It is hung by a rope fastened to a moulinet, and when a gate is broken, it is let down to obstruct the passage. It is called also a sarrasin or cataract, and when it consists of straight stakes without cross-pieces, it is called orgues.
Herse is also a harrow, used for a chevaux de frise, and laid in the way or in breaches, with the points up, to obstruct or incommode the march of an enemy.
1.
A carriage for bearing corpses to the grave. It is a frame only, or a box, as in England, borne on wheels.
2.
A temporary monument set over a grave. [Unusual and not legitimate.]
3.
A funeral eulogy. [Not used.]

HERSE

,
Verb.
T.
hers. To put on or in a herse.
1.
To carry to the grave.

Definition 2024


hèrse

hèrse

See also: herse and Herse

Norman

Noun

hèrse f (plural hèrses)

  1. (Jersey) hearse