hearse
The definition of a hearse is a vehicle that transports a coffin carrying the dead.
(noun)The big car driven by an undertaker that the deceased's coffin goes in at a funeral is an example of a hearse.
See hearse in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- an automobile or carriage, used in a funeral for carrying the corpse
- a framelike structure above a coffin or tomb, for candles, hangings, etc.
- a triangular framework to hold candles at Tenebrae
- Archaic a bier or coffin
Origin: ME herce < OFr, a harrow, grated portcullis < L hirpex, a large rake with iron teeth < dial (Sabine) irpus, wolf (hence, lit., wolf-tooth device)
See hearse in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A vehicle for conveying a coffin to a church or cemetery.
- Roman Catholic Church A triangular candelabrum used at Tenebrae during Holy Week.
- A framelike structure over a coffin or tomb on which to hang epitaphs.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English herse, a harrow-shaped structure for holding candles over a coffin
Origin: , from Old French herce
Origin: , from Medieval Latin hercia
Origin: , from Latin hirpex, hirpic-, harrow
Origin: , probably from Oscan hirpus, wolf (alluding to its teeth)
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