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hearse

noun
\ ˈhərs How to pronounce hearse (audio) \

Definition of hearse

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an elaborate framework erected over a coffin or tomb to which memorial verses or epitaphs are attached
b : a triangular candelabra for 15 candles used especially at Tenebrae
2a archaic : coffin
b obsolete : bier sense 1
3 : a vehicle for conveying the dead to the grave

hearse

verb
hearsed; hearsing

Definition of hearse (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a archaic : to place on or in a hearse
b : to convey in a hearse
2 : bury
Synonyms & Antonyms The Evolution of Hearse Example Sentences Learn More about hearse

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Synonyms & Antonyms for hearse

Synonyms: Verb

bury, entomb, inhume, inter, lay, put away, tomb

Antonyms: Verb

disinter, exhume, unearth

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The Evolution of Hearse

Medieval French used the word herce for a harrow, a farm tool used to break up and smooth the soil. Herce was also applied to a triangular frame that was used for holding candles. Herce was borrowed into Middle English as herse. In those days, a large and decorative framework might be raised over the tomb or coffin of an honored person. Because this framework was often decorated with candles, the word herse was applied to it. A series of slightly changed meanings led to the use of herse (Modern English hearse) for a platform for a corpse or coffin, and from that to a vehicle to carry the dead. The verb hearse emerged late in the 16th century.

Examples of hearse in a Sentence

Verb

 the cemetery hearses an average of eight bodies a week

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Dozens of officers stood in salute outside the hospital late Monday as Moye’s body was loaded into a hearse and taken to the coroner’s office. — Los Angeles Times, "Riverside shooting suspect had a long criminal history, records show," 13 Aug. 2019 Crowds on the street applauded as the hearse drove up with his casket, in gratitude to the fallen officer. — Fox News, "Italian police officer allegedly killed by American teens remembered as hero," 30 July 2019 Highway patrol pulls over hearse: in Las Vegas high-occupancy vehicle lane. — Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, "Drivers, you're merging all wrong: Being polite is causing traffic jams, experts say," 23 July 2019 Pictures on the Perches Funeral Homes Facebook page showed two lines of hearses parked at the memorial site. — Darran Simon, CNN, "22 hearses make a final procession to deliver flowers to the El Paso shooting memorial site," 19 Aug. 2019 The reminder was prompted by a traffic stop Monday involving a hearse traveling on the carpool lane on Interstate 15 in Las Vegas. — NBC News, "Nevada officer pulls over hearse traveling in HOV lane," 3 July 2019 An old Buick hearse with flames painted on its flanks thundered to keep pace. — Los Angeles Times, "Man and myth, Part II: A return to Brotherhood Raceway, and Big Willie Robinson’s legacy," 8 Aug. 2019 The National Museum of Funeral History is filled with hearses, coffins, embalming tools and other rites of death curios. — Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, "The National Museum of Funeral History, hidden in a Houston suburb, is a bizarre, spooky treat," 24 June 2019 The agency says the hearse driver assumed the body in the back counted toward the requirement of two or more occupants for the lane. — USA TODAY, "Robot hostesses, veggie booze, ‘civil death’: News from around our 50 states," 4 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hearse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hearse

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for hearse

Noun

Middle English herse, from Anglo-French herce harrow, frame for holding candles, from Latin hirpic-, hirpex harrow

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More Definitions for hearse

hearse

noun
How to pronounce hearse (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of hearse

: a large car that is used for carrying a coffin to a grave

See the full definition for hearse in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hearse

noun
\ ˈhərs How to pronounce hearse (audio) \

Kids Definition of hearse

: a vehicle for carrying a dead person to the grave

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More from Merriam-Webster on hearse

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with hearse

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hearse

Spanish Central: Translation of hearse

Nglish: Translation of hearse for Spanish Speakers

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