Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Herse
Herse
(hẽrs)
, Noun.
[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
.] 1.
(Fort.)
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.
2.
See
Hearse
, a carriage for the dead. 3.
A funeral ceremonial.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
Webster 1828 Edition
Herse
HERSE
,Noun.
1.
In fortification, a lattice or portcullis in the form of a harrow, set with iron spikes. It is hung by a rope fastened to a moulinet, and when a gate is broken, it is let down to obstruct the passage. It is called also a sarrasin or cataract, and when it consists of straight stakes without cross-pieces, it is called orgues.Herse is also a harrow, used for a chevaux de frise, and laid in the way or in breaches, with the points up, to obstruct or incommode the march of an enemy.
1.
A carriage for bearing corpses to the grave. It is a frame only, or a box, as in England, borne on wheels.2.
A temporary monument set over a grave. [Unusual and not legitimate.]3.
A funeral eulogy. [Not used.]HERSE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To carry to the grave.