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hustings definition
hus·tings (hus′tiŋz)
plural noun
- Obsolete
- a deliberative assembly
- a court held in various English cities and still occasionally in London
- the platform in London Guildhall where such a court was formerly held
- the temporary platform where candidates for Parliament formerly stood for nomination and spoke
- the proceedings at an election
- any place where political campaign speeches are made
- the route followed by a campaigner for political office
Origin: ME husting < OE < ON hūsthing, lit., house council < hūs, a house + thing, assembly (see thing): orig., a lord's household assembly as distinct from a general assembly
hust·ings (hŭsˈtĭngz)
plural noun (used with a sing. or pl. verb)- a. A place where political campaign speeches are made: a candidate out on the hustings in the farm belt.b. The activities involved in political campaigning: a veteran of the hustings.
- Chiefly British A court formerly held in some English cities and still held infrequently in London.
- Chiefly British a. A platform on which candidates for Parliament formerly stood to address the electors.b. The proceedings of a parliamentary election.
Origin: From Middle English husting, court of common pleas, from Old English hūsting, court, from Old Norse hūsthing : hūs, house + thing, assembly.