hearse Meaning & Definition
What Does Hearse Mean?
Hearse is used as a noun meaning A hind (female deer) in the second year of her age. It can also mean 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 during the funeral ceremonies. As a verb, it means To enclose in a hearse; to entomb.
Word Facts for Hearse
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /hɜːs/ |
| Plural | hearses |
| Verb forms | hearses, hearsing, hearsed |
Hearse Definition (Noun)
- A hind (female deer) in the second year of her age.
- 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 during the funeral ceremonies.
- A grave, coffin, tomb, or sepulchral monument.
- A bier or handbarrow for conveying the dead to the grave.
- A carriage or vehicle specially adapted or used for transporting a dead person to the place of funeral or to the grave.
Hearse as a Verb
- To enclose in a hearse; to entomb.
Synonyms of Hearse
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Hearse synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
hearse (plural hearses)
hearse (third-person singular simple present hearses, present participle hearsing, simple past and past participle hearsed)
Words That Rhyme With Hearse
Origin of Hearse
Origin 1: From Middle English herse, hers, herce, from Old French herce in the sense "triangular framework used to support candles". Ultimately the same word as Old French herce (“harrow”), from Latin *herpicem, accusative singular of *herpex, a variant form of hirpex (“harrow”).[1] The agricultural device's name comes from Oscan hirpus (“wolf”), a reference to a harrow's many teeth. The term for wolf may ultimately be from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰers- (“stiff, rigid, bristled”).[2] The Oscan term is related to Latin hīrsūtus (“bristly, shaggy”), whence English hirsute.
Origin 2: The TLFi considers the "framework to support candles" sense of the French word to be derived more specifically from Medieval Latin hercia;[3] in any case, this is ultimately from the same source. (Du Cange sees in hercia a contraction of an extended form *herpicia.[4] It may instead simply be a Latinization of Old French herce.) Doublet of herse (“kind of gate”).
Quick Answers About Hearse
Is hearse a noun or a verb?
Hearse is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of hearse?
The plural of hearse is hearses.
What is the past tense of hearse?
The past tense of hearse is hearsed. The present participle is hearsing.