Hearse Definition

hûrs
noun
A vehicle for conveying a coffin to a church or cemetery.
American Heritage
An automobile or carriage, used in a funeral for carrying the corpse.
Webster's New World
A triangular framework to hold candles at Tenebrae.
Webster's New World
A framelike structure above a coffin or tomb, for candles, hangings, etc.
Webster's New World
A bier or coffin.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
  • dead wagon
  • conveyance for a coffin
  • meat-wagon
  • undertaker's limousine
  • funeral coach
  • funeral van
verb

(dated) To enclose in a hearse; to entomb.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Hearse

Noun

Singular:
hearse
Plural:
hearses

Origin of Hearse

  • Middle English herse a harrow-shaped structure for holding candles over a coffin from Old French herce from Medieval Latin hercia from Latin hirpex hirpic- harrow probably from Oscan hirpus wolf (alluding to its teeth)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French herce, from Medieval Latin hercia, from Latin herpicem, hirpex; ultimately from Oscan (“wolf”), a reference to the teeth. The Oscan term is related to Latin hirsutus (“bristly, shaggy”).

    From Wiktionary

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