hearse Hear it!

hearse Definition

hearse (hʉrs)

noun

  1. an automobile or carriage, used in a funeral for carrying the corpse
    1. a framelike structure above a coffin or tomb, for candles, hangings, etc.
    2. a triangular framework to hold candles at Tenebrae
  3. Archaic a bier or coffin

Etymology: ME herce < OFr, a harrow, grated portcullis < L hirpex, a large rake with iron teeth < dial (Sabine) irpus, wolf (hence, lit., wolf-tooth device)

hearse Synonyms

hearse

n.

funeral van, funeral coach, conveyance for a coffin, undertaker's limousine, meat wagon*, dead wagon*; see also automobile, vehicle 1.

hearse Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • draw: An ornate hearse drawn by four horses with black plumes on their heads drew up at the door.
  • drive: I have been driving a hearse for the last 25 years " .
  • follow: Ten carriages followed the hearse, the second being occupied by a representative of Queen Victoria, who laid a wreath on her behalf.
  • have: Having a hearse ( or equivalent estate car ) available for hire, to enable people to carry out funerals.
  • offer: Currently, many funeral directors will not sell coffins separately or offer a hearse for use, unless the entire funeral package is purchased.
  • see: You don't see a hearse with a roof rack.

Adjective modifier

  • black: Moving up the street slowly is a black hearse, followed closely behind by a second black hearse.
  • second: Behind the second hearse was a solitary man, walking a pit bull dog on a leash.
  • funeral: The words Slow down were written in flowers and displayed in the back of a funeral hearse.
  • American: This means that, in contrast to American hearses, the rear quarter panels require less, and sometimes no, alteration.
  • long: A long black hearse was followed by a second long black hearse about 20 meters behind.
  • first: Intrigued, Dave went up to the man following the second hearse and asked him who was in the first hearse.

Modifies a noun

  • house: A new hearse house was planned in the extreme southeast corner.
  • fee: The funds bearing interest do not much exceed £ 100; but a considerable sum arises from the mortcloth and hearse fees.

Noun used with modifier

  • horse-drawn: The Funeral Company, Milton Keynes provides a range of services, from green funerals to horse-drawn hearses.
  • style: An antique limousine style hearse from Volvo Two styles of hearse bodywork are common.
  • parish: Outside the church, the stone shed near the lychgate is the parish hearse house.
hearse Quotes

The departed was a 'Roman', and the majority of the town were otherwiseöbut unionism is stronger than creed. Drink, however, is stronger than unionism; and, whenthehearse presentlyarrived, morethantwo-thirds of the funeral were unable to follow.

—Lawson, Henry Hertzberg

Bring the rathe primrose that forsaken dies, The tufted crow-toe, and pale gessamine, The white pink, and the pansy freaked with jet, The glowing violet, The musk-rose, and the well attir'd woodbine, With cowslips wan that hang the pensive head, And every flower that sad embroidery wears: Bid amaranthus all his beauty shed, And daffadillies fill their cups with tears, To strew the laureate hearse where Lycid lies.

—Milton,John

Night, with all her negro train, Took possession of the plain; In an hearse she rode reclined, Drawn by screech-owls slow and blind: Close to her, with printless feet, Crept Stillness, in a winding sheet.

—Smart, Christopher

Where is the antique glory now become, What whilom wont in women to appear? Where be the brave achievements doen by some? Where be the battles, where the shield and spear, And all the conquests, which them high did rear, That matter made for famous poet's verse, And boastful men so oft abashed to hear? Bene theyall dead, and laid in doleful hearse? Or doen they only sleep, and shall again reverse?

—Spenser, Edmund

Why is there always a secret singing When a lawyer cashes in? Why does a hearse horse snicker Hauling a lawyer away?

—Sandburg, Carl