Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Porter
Por′ter
,Noun.
A man who has charge of a door or gate; a doorkeeper; one who waits at the door to receive messages.
Shak.
To him the
porter
openeth. John x. 3.
1.
A carrier; one who carries or conveys burdens, luggage, etc.; for hire.
2.
(Forging)
A bar of iron or steel at the end of which a forging is made; esp., a long, large bar, to the end of which a heavy forging is attached, and by means of which the forging is lifted and handled in hammering and heating; – called also
porter bar
. 3.
A malt liquor, of a dark color and moderately bitter taste, possessing tonic and intoxicating qualities.
☞ Porter is said to be so called as having been first used chiefly by the London porters, and this application of the word is supposed to be not older than 1750.
Webster 1828 Edition
Porter
PORTER
,Noun.
1.
A man that has the charge of a door or gate; a door-keeper.2.
One that waits at the door to receive messages.3.
[L. porto.] A carrier; a person who carries or conveys burdens for hire.4.
A malt liquor which differs from ale and pale beer, in being made with high dried malt.