/hɜː(ɹ)s/
OriginFrom Middle English hierche (“type of harrow”), from Middle French herce, herse. Doublet of hearse.
- A kind of gate or portcullis, having iron bars, like a harrow, studded with iron spikes, hung above gateways so that it may be quickly lowered to impede the advance of an enemy.
“In the south aisle, on a slab raised on four low shafts and covered by an iron herse, is a fine coloured recumbent effigy of a bishop”
- obsoleteA funeral ceremony.
“Dido, my deare, alas!
Dead, and lyeth wrapt in lead. O heavie herse!”
- One of the moons of Jupiter.
Formsherses(plural)