herse

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: Her=se

CIDE DICTIONARY

herse, n. [F. herse harrow, portcullis, OF. herce, LL. hercia, L. hirpex, gen. hirpicis, and irpex, gen. irpicis, harrow. The LL. hercia signifies also a kind of candlestick in the form of a harrow, having branches filled with lights, and placed at the head of graves or cenotaphs; whence herse came to be used for the grave, coffin, or chest containing the dead. Cf. Hearse.].

•  A kind of gate or portcullis, having iron bars, like a harrow, studded with iron spikes. It is hung above gateways so that it may be quickly lowered, to impede the advance of an enemy.  Farrow.  [1913 Webster]
•  See Hearse, a carriage for the dead.  [1913 Webster]
•  A funeral ceremonial.  Spenser.  [1913 Webster]

herse, v. t. 

 Same as Hearse, v. t.  Chapman.  [1913 Webster]