hearse

[hurs]

noun

1. a vehicle for conveying a dead person to the place of burial.

2. a triangular frame for holding candles, used at the service of Tenebrae in Holy Week.

3. a canopy erected over a tomb.

hearse

/ hɜːs /

noun

1. a vehicle, such as a specially designed car or carriage, used to carry a coffin to a place of worship and ultimately to a cemetery or crematorium

Other Word Forms

• hearselike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearse¹

1250–1300; Middle English herse < Middle French herce a harrow < Latin hirpicem, accusative of hirpex

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearse¹

C14: from Old French herce, from Latin hirpex harrow

Example Sentences

Soldiers from the Royal Dragoon Guard, of which she had been deputy colonel in chief, carried the coffin from the royal hearse into the cathedral.

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Thousands of Black Sabbath fans honored the musician’s legacy as his hearse, followed by his wife and children, made its way through Birmingham, the Associated Press reported.

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Thousands of Black Sabbath fans honored Osbourne’s life and legacy last week as his hearse, followed by his wife and children, made its way through Brimingham, the Associated Press reported.

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The funeral procession was led by a brass band playing Black Sabbath songs, with Ozzy's body transported in a hearse topped by a purple floral tribute in the shape of a cross.

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The Black Sabbath singer's body will be taken in a hearse through the city on Wednesday, on the way to his private funeral.

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