ushern.
/ˈʌʃə/, U.S. /ˈəʃər/ 1. figurative.a1500 Assemb. Ladies in Skeat Chaucerian Pieces (1897) 383 I am..Of her [sc. Loyalty's] chambre her ussher.?1553 (c1501) G. Douglas Palice of Honour (London) iii. l. 1803 in Shorter Poems (1967) 112 Humanyte, and trew relatioun Bene yscherris [1579 Edinb. Ischaris] of his chalmer.
a. An official or servant who has charge of the door and admits people to a hall, chamber, etc.; a doorkeeper; in later use esp. an officer in a court of justice, or an attendant who conducts people to seats in a church, public hall, or place of amusement.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > [noun] > usher or attendant
huissierc1330
usherc1386
commissionaire1749
check-taker1812
starter1892
hat-check boy1910
hat-check girl1913
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > domestic servant > [noun] > usher
huissierc1330
usherc1386
c1386 G. Chaucer Squire's Tale 293 The vsshers and the squiers been ygoon, The spices and the wyn is come anoon.
c1400 Northern Passion (Harl.) 617 Saint iohn spak to vsscher þan.
c1410 Sir Cleges 287 The vsscher at the hall dore was Wyth a staffe stondynge.
a1470 Dives & Pauper (1496) vi. xi. 249/1 She dyd hyr offyce, for she was usshere and keper at the dore.
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 30 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 300 Whille marshalle or vssher come fro þe dore, And bydde the sitte, or to borde the lede.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. xcvi. 110 b/1 Than the squyer..called the vssher to open the dore.
c1610 in T. Maude Verbeia or Wharfdale (1782) App. 43 The Usher's Wordes of Directions. First,..he must go before them thro' the hall [etc.].
1677 tr. A.-N. Amelot de La Houssaie Hist. Govt. Venice 121 He disposes of the little Offices about the Palace, as the Ushers and others.
1694 E. Chamberlayne Angliæ Notitia (ed. 18) i. iii. 681 Chelsea College... There are several other..Servants, as..Sexton, Usher, Porters [etc.].
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) The Ushers of the Inquisition..think themselves highly honour'd by only looking to the Doors of the sacred Tribunal.
1799 Rep. Comm. Courts of Justice 29 Usher of the Court.
1799 Rep. Comm. Courts of Justice 31 The Court of King's Bench..[Officers include] Usher and Cryer. Deputy Cryers. Deputy Ushers.
1868 C. Dickens Let. 3 Jan. (2002) XII. 3 He met one of the ‘ushers’ (who show people to their seats) coming in with Kelly.
1898 A. M. Binstead Pink 'Un & Pelican 181 Like the legal gent.., asked to define the duties of the ushers in the law courts.
b. figurative, transferred, and in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > [noun] > bringing in > one who
usherc1380
bringer1742
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 163 Crist..haþ resoun of many þingis; for he is dore, he is ussher.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (MS. Cott. Tib. D. vii.) v. xvii. f. 188 Seþþe..so meny..priueleges..were ygrauntet to petur y dare noȝt wiþsygge [so] grete and soche an oyschere and porter.
1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 6 Make eye to be Vssher, good vsage to haue, make barre to be Porter.
1594 Zepheria v. sig. B3 Feare, Centinell of sad discretion,..Cares Vsher, Tenant to his owne oppression.
1629 W. Prynne Church of Englands Old Antithesis 124 Arminianisme is but a Bridge or Vsher vnto grosse Popery.
1638 T. Whitaker Tree Humane Life 4 As if Satiation were the Usher of diseases.
1709 R. Steele & J. Swift Tatler No. 67 In this chamber of Fame..no historians are to be admitted at any of these tables; because they..are to be made use of as ushers to the assemblies.
1878 B. Stewart & P. G. Tait Unseen Universe i. §5. 27 Being the usher of souls in their passage to the future state.
c. Const. of (the hall, chamber, etc.).
ΚΠ
?1436 Pol., Rel., & L. Poems (1903) 13 I was put to þe Soudenys house & was made vssher of halle.
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 432 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 312 Speke I wylle A lytulle qwyle Of vssher of chambur, with-outen gyle. [Description of his duties follows.]
1480 Acta Dom. Conc. (1839) 49/1 Sir Johne of Culquhone..vschare in þe tyme of oure souerane lordis chawmer durre.
1503 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1900) II. 311 John Knox ischar of the hall.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Admissionales, vshers of the chambre.
1623 H. Cockeram Eng. Dict. ii An Vsher of a Hall, atrict.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) In the French Court there are two Ushers of the Anti-Chamber, or Hall where the King dines in publick.
d. U.S. One who performs the functions of an usher (sense 1) at a wedding.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > wedding or nuptials > people connected with wedding > [noun] > usher
usher1895
1895 Outing 27 181 He sent the young lady a beautiful Colport cup and saucer,..at the same time breathing a prayer that Elliott would not ask him to be usher.
2. figurative.1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 2 Faith needing not..the Senses, to be either the Vshers, or Interpreters, of heavenly Mysteries.1673 A. Walker Leez Lachrymans 18 When he is pleased to send this usher of the Black-Rod, Death,..a white~staffe is too weak to make Resistance.in extended use.1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 116 A colt..passeth bridges, not tarriing for an vsher, nor fearing the Ise.a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. vi. 44 The wife of Anthony Should haue an Army for an Vsher . View more context for this quotation1626 T. Hawkins tr. N. Caussin Holy Court I. 37 Anciently Pearles were called Vshers, because they made way for Ladyes, who were attyred with them.1726 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xvii. 251 The good old proverb how this pair fulfill! One rogue is usher to another still.1763 C. Churchill Ghost iv. 129 A downright Usher, to admit New-Comers to the Court of Wit.† b. A male attendant on a lady. Obsolete.
a. An officer at court, in a dignitary's household, etc., whose duty it is on occasion to walk or go before a person of high rank; also, a chamberlain. Usher of the Black Rod: see Black Rod n. Usher of the Green Rod: (see quot. 1869).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > holder of office > ceremonial officials > [noun] > usher
usher1518
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > [noun] > one who goes first > as an official of a court or household
usher1518
society > authority > office > holder of office > ceremonial officials > [noun] > usher > bearing a rod or staff > Black Rod
Black Rod1590
Usher of the Green Rod1678
society > authority > office > holder of office > ceremonial officials > [noun] > usher > bearing a rod or staff > Green Rod
Usher of the Green Rod1721
1518 H. Watson tr. Hystorye Olyuer of Castylle (Roxb.) N 2 b There came dyuers kynges and herauldes of armes, and after came the Vsshers.
1553 in W. Jerdan Rutland Papers (1842) 118 The Duke of Northfolke..claymethe to be highe vssher the daye of the coronacion.
1641 Sc. Acts Chas. I (1870) V. 332/1 Commandit.. to goe befoir the king as Ischear with ane rod in his hand.
1678 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) (at cited word) Usher of the Black-rod.
1689 Breviate St. Scot. 10 The Second Great Heritable Offices in the Kingdom, are The Lord High Constable,..The Heritable Usher.
1718 L. Echard Hist. Eng. (new ed.) III. 622 The Usher of the Black-Rod commanded their Attendance in the House of Lords.
1721 in A. Ramsay Poems I. List of Subscribers Usher of the Green Rod, and daily Waiter to his Majesty.
1850 J. B. Marsden Hist. Early Puritans 402 The king sent down the usher of the House of Lords with a message.
1869 J. E. Cussans Handbk. Heraldry (rev. ed.) xviii. 235 The Officers attached to this Noble Order [of the Knights of the Thistle] are: the Dean;..and the Usher of the Green Rod.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > [noun] > male attendant on lady
ushera1625
bower-page1830
a1625 J. Fletcher Wild-goose Chase (1652) iii. i. 33 If she want an Usher; such an implement; One that is throughly pac'd; a clean made Gentleman; Can hold a hanging up.
1649 W. Davenant Love & Honour i. i Consumptive Ushers that are decay'd In their Ladies service.
1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. ii. i. 8 She call'd for hood And Usher, Implements abroad, Which Ladies wear.
1749 T. Smollett tr. A. R. Le Sage Gil Blas I. i. xvi. 76 A lady who..was squired by an old usher [Fr. écuyer], and a little blackamoor carried her train.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. i. xvi. 139 She released her sweet hand from the custody of the usher [Fr. écuyer].
3. figurative.a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xxvii. f. 222 Stretching out his hand, and making vehement countenances the vshers to his speches.1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxxii. 214 Fasts haue beene set as vshers of festiuall dayes.a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) ii. i. 155 [Stage direct.] A showt, and flourish. Volum. These are the Vshers of Martius. View more context for this quotation1632 tr. G. Bruele Praxis Medicinæ 58 Troublesome dreames are vshers to this disease.a1693 M. Bruce Good News in Evil Times (1708) 26 They make the Sabbath, as it were, Mr. Usher to their Visiting of Christ.
a. One who precedes or arrives before another, esp. a higher dignitary or personage; a precursor. Also transferred. Cf. harbinger n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > announcing or proclaiming > [noun] > announcer or proclaimer > harbinger or usher
heraldc1330
forayer1340
forager1377
foregangera1500
usher1548
harbingera1550
avant-courier1603
go-before1633
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > [noun] > one who goes first > as a harbinger or messenger
messengerc1230
foregoer1393
fourrier1481
fore-rider1513
fore-currour1548
usher1548
harbingera1550
vaunt-courier1561
van-courier1581
herald1597
usherer1598
outrunner1891
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. iii. 28 By his ussher and messenger John.
?1556 N. Smyth tr. Herodian Hist. iii. f. 40v He had certayne Usshers going before him, whiche commaunded euerye man to auoyde the stretes.
1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper ii. 151 That other lesson..[Christ] suffered his Ushers that went before him to teach.
1847 R. W. Emerson Initial Love 75 Heralds high before him [sc. Cupid] run, He has ushers many a one.
b. transferred. That which precedes or gives intimation of the approach or advent of a person or thing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [noun] > antecedent or precursor
forerunnerOE
forridelc1000
messengerc1300
precursora1500
waymaker1574
postiliona1586
ushera1586
precedence1598
vaunt-courier1598
precedent1599
prodromus1602
ante-disposition1611
precedency1611
prodrome1611
antecedent1612
antedating1633
leading card1635
prodromy1647
antecessor1657
precursorya1660
prodromist1716
morning star1721
skirmisher1820
antecursor1850
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme l. 6 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 47 God comes,..His garde huge stormes, hott flames his vsshers goe.
1599 J. Davies Hymnes Astræa v. 5 Early chearfull, mounting Larke, Lights gentle Vsher.
1633 P. Fletcher Elisa 112 in Purple Island Ah death!.. Thou one meals fast, usher to endlesse feasting.
1640 J. Gower tr. Ovid Festivalls ii. 32 In comes the Lecher bold;..His groping hands his warie ushers were.
1645 R. Stapleton tr. Musaeus Ερωτοπαιγνιον: Loves Hero & Leander sig. Cv Leander..Expecting the sad Torch, and to be led By that bright Vsher to his private bed.
c. Entomology. A species of moth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > family Geometridae > member of genus Anisopteryx
usher1819
1819 G. Samouelle Entomologist's Compend. 360 Geometra leucophearia, The Spring Usher.
1819 G. Samouelle Entomologist's Compend. 360 [G.]nigricaria, The dark-bordered Usher.
1832 J. Rennie Conspectus Butterflies & Moths Brit. 102 The Spring Usher (Anisopteryx leucophearia, Stephens) appears in oak woods the end of February.
1832 J. Rennie Conspectus Butterflies & Moths Brit. 102 The Wall Usher (A. Æscularia).
4. † b. transferred. A teacher or preceptor acting under another. Obsolete.
a. An assistant to a schoolmaster or head-teacher; an under-master, assistant-master. Now rare. Also in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > teacher > schoolteacher or schoolmaster > [noun] > assistant teacher
submasterc1450
usher1512
undermaster1561
under-usher1561
pedagogue?1566
underteacher1581
janitor1584
hypodidascal1625
under-doctora1649
assistant master1872
usheress1879
TA1969
1512 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1885) III. 453 To..establisshe one free schole of one Schole Maister and one Vssher.
1561 in H. B. Wilson Hist. Merchant-Taylors' Sch. (1814) 15 Yff both the maister and the usshers be sick at once (as God defend) then let the schoole cease for that while.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 259 b Who hath made you usher I pray you, or prepositour of Ciceroes schoole?
1632 D. Lupton London & Countrey Carbonadoed 119 Country Vshers..are vnder the Head-maister, equall with the chiefe Schollers, and aboue the lesser boyes.
1653 R. Baxter Worcester-shire Petition 6 We are but Ushers, and Christ is the..chief Master of the School.
1669 E. Chamberlayne Present State Eng. ii. 483 This Colledge consists of a Master.., a Chaplain,..A Master and Usher to instruct 44 Scholars.
1687 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 247 He being usher to a Presbyterian scholemaster.
1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 205 Tollet is made IId Master, he being before a chief Usher.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1732 I. 37 He accepted of an offer..as usher in the school of Market-Bosworth.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian ii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 37 Conning over a few pages of Horace or Juvenal with his usher.
c1868 in T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days (ed. 6) Pref. Persecution..he can't stop; no more could all the ushers in the world.
1876 Scheme C.C. 8 governing Foundation Thetford School Hosp. 6 From the same date..the present usher of the said School shall cease to hold his office as such Usher.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > teacher > [noun]
larewc900
mastereOE
lorthewc1160
lore-fatherc1175
lerera1340
lister1377
loresman1377
doctora1382
learner1382
teacherc1384
readera1387
lore-mastera1400
former1401
informer?c1422
preceptorc1450
instructora1464
informator1483
doctrinal?1504
lear-father1533
usher1533
instructer1534
trainer1543
educator1609
instituter1670
institutorc1675
subpreceptor1696
Barbe1710
pundit1816
umfundisi1825
preception1882
guru1884
mwalimu1884
rabbi1917
1533 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 585/2 Oure sauiour..sent him [sc. Judas] forth..for one of hys vsshers to teache in his owne time.
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. vi. xiv. 105 He ordained Heraclas..his fellowe helper, and Usher,..committing vnto him the instruction of the inferiour sort.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage i. iv. 16 Nature was his Schoole master; or if you will rather, Gods Usher.
c. = provost n. 7.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun] > fencing-master > assistant
provost1545
usher1545
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 45v Of fence..there is not onely Masters to teache it, wyth his Prouostes Vshers Scholers and othernames of arte and Schole.
1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. at Prevost de sale d'armes The Provost, or Usher of a Fencing-School.
1765 D. Angelo School of Fencing (ed. 2) 52 When an usher..has finished his apprenticeship under an able master,..he is obliged to fence with several masters.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > coining > [noun] > coiner > officers of the mint
Master of the Coin1423
Master of the Mint1423
Warden of the Mint1463
Usher of the Coins, Change, or Exchange1485
melter1511
mint master1528
Surveyor of the Melting (also Meltings)1556
clerk of the irons1566
master-worker1622
1485 Patent Roll, 1 Henry VII 4 Nov. (P.R.O.: C 66/562) m. 10 The Countroller Clipper of the Irons clerk and Vssher of the Coynes shall haue their fees.
1485 Rolls of Parl. VI. 365/2 The Office of Usher of the Exchaunge of oure said Soveraigne Lord, within his Towre [of London].
Compounds
attributive and in other combinations, as usher life, usher-like.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > teacher > schoolteacher or schoolmaster > [adjective] > assistant teacher
usher-like1580
usherian1826
1580 W. Fulke T. Stapleton & Martiall Confuted iv. 164 An other foolish brable and vsherlike construing, he maketh of Cyprians words.
1873 W. Cory Lett. & Jrnls. (1897) 341 The eight years I had then gone through of usher life.
Derivatives
ˈusherdom n. the office or status of an usher.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > teacher > schoolteacher or schoolmaster > [noun] > assistant teacher > position of
ushership1825
usherdom1836
1836 Q. Rev. Sept. 293 In the Vicar of Wakefield..we have many sad and some bitter allusions to the pains of usherdom.
1905 A. C. Benson Upton Lett. 106 The ugly slough of usherdom.
ˈusheress n. a female usher.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > teacher > schoolteacher or schoolmaster > [noun] > assistant teacher
submasterc1450
usher1512
undermaster1561
under-usher1561
pedagogue?1566
underteacher1581
janitor1584
hypodidascal1625
under-doctora1649
assistant master1872
usheress1879
TA1969
1879 Church Times 5 Sept. An appointment..as an ‘usheress’ in a big establishment.
uˈsherian adj. of or pertaining to an usher or ushers.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > teacher > schoolteacher or schoolmaster > [adjective] > assistant teacher
usher-like1580
usherian1826
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. i. iv. 24 Certain powers were..delegated to..beings called Ushers... The usherian rule had, however, always been comparatively light at Burnsley Vicarage.
ˈusherism n. conduct or comportment characteristic of ushers.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > pedantry > [noun]
scholarism1588
pedantism1592
pedantry1612
scholasticism1797
bluestockingism1812
donnishness1835
donnism1859
pragmaticism1865
usherism1869
pragmatism1895
mandarinism1976
1869 A. J. Ellis On Early Eng. Pronunc. I. vi. 625 That kind of pedantic self-sufficiency which is the true growth of half-enlightened ignorance, and may be termed ‘usherism’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
usherv.
/ˈʌʃə/, U.S. /ˈəʃər/ 1. reflexive.1812 Ann. Reg., Chron. 47 This singular person ushered himself into public notice in London, by [etc.].
a. transitive. To act as usher to (a person or persons); to admit ceremoniously; to conduct, attend, or introduce with ceremony from, to or unto or esp. into (a place), etc.; to announce, introduce, or bring in as an usher.In frequent use from c1820. In group (b) with adverbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come into [verb (transitive)] > bring in > formally
usher1596
to usher in1613
introduce1685
(a)
(b)1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xiv. xi. 194 He..ushered his Visitant up Stairs. View more context for this quotation1760 in J. Doran ‘Mann’ & Manners at Court of Florence (1876) II. 63 For which purpose I set forth in a Coach and Six, and ushered him in.1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. I. 4 Simmons bows assent, and ushers the woman out.1853 C. Brontë Villette III. xliii. 328 Ushering me in, he shut the door behind us.1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xii. lxxvii. 314 Vnto their Lodging Stafford did the Ladies Vsher then.
1632 J. Hayward in tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena Ep. Ded. sig. Av Excuse my boldnesse in ushering her Excellencie..into so excellent a presence.
1726 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xvii. 447 My Lords! this stranger..The good Eumæus usher'd to your court.
1777 J. Cook Voy. S. Pole I. ii. ii. 202 An old gentleman came along-side, who..was some king or great man. He was, accordingly, ushered on board.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. ii. 23 The hall..to which Tressilian was ushered by one of the Earl's attendants.
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby I. iii. iii. 278 Whose happy lot it was to usher them from the apartment.
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn I. xxv. 240 The tribune ushered her into the Emperor's chamber.
b. Predicated of things. Also transferred.
ΚΠ
1623 H. Hexham Tongue-combat 63 This brauerie..vshers them into the company of best princes.
1697 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) IV. 311 Boats having mett them with divers sorts of musick to usher them into that harbour.
1814 Salmagundi (new ed.) I. x. 244 The piece opens with a gentle andante affetuosso, which ushers you into the assembly-room.
c. figurative, transferred, and in figurative context.
ΚΠ
1591 R. Southwell Marie Magdalens Funeral Teares f. 59v As desire is euer vshered by hope, and waited on by feare.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion iii. 39 Yet the blushing Dawne out of the cheerfull East Is vshering forth the Day.
1623 H. Cockeram Eng. Dict. iii Nusculus, a friendly fish to the Whale, it vshers him from rocks, shelues, and shores.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Leic. 130 Sir Tho. Lake may be said to have ushered him [sc. Villiers] to the English Court.
1715 N. Rowe Lady Jane Gray iv. i As if his traitor father's haggard ghost, And Somerset,..had usher'd him to ruin.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. iv. i. 4 [The hero] is generally ushered on the Stage by a large Troop of..Scene-shifters. View more context for this quotation
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 6 That mode of signature to which you have thrown open the folding-doors of your presence chamber, and have ushered into your National Assembly. View more context for this quotation
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. ii. 29 A furious wind; which ushers the dust into your eyes.
1867 H. Macmillan Bible Teachings vi. 109 A new class of objects is now ushered upon the scene.
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn II. lxvi. 326 Those whom we ushered into the reader's presence at the beginning of this book.
d.
(a) absol. To act as or after the manner of an usher.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > guide, lead, or show the way [verb (intransitive)]
kenc1200
lead1509
to lead the waya1593
usher1612
1612 J. Donne Second Anniuersarie 15 in First Anniuersarie Yet Death must vsher, and vnlocke the doore. Thinke further on thy selfe, my soule.
1657 F. Cockin Divine Blossomes 4 For to insinuate into his will, And usher, thorough his Judgment to 's Affection..That he may give to Thee all due subjection.
(b) spec. to act as an usher in a cinema. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > film show > a cinema > [verb (intransitive)] > act as usher
usher1973
1973 Publishers Weekly 27 Aug. 243/1 A 13-year-old boy who ushers in a movie house.
1980 M. Gordon Company of Women (1981) i. i. 26 It was teen-agers who flocked to see that kind of movie. Mary Rose had to usher at those movies now.
2. † b. To precede (a person, esp. of higher rank) as a forerunner or harbinger. Also in figurative context.
a. To precede, escort, or go before (a dignitary) ceremonially as an usher.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > bring in as an usher
usher1612
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > go in front of [verb (transitive)] > ceremonially
usher1612
1612 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. i. 599 All his equippage was ushered by certaine officers in ritche coates.
1665 R. Brathwait Comment Two Tales Chaucer (1900) 47 If I at any time use him for the Squire of my Body, or to Usher me in the streets.
1676 Office Clerk of Assize E vij His Bayliffs, with their white wands in their hands, do usher the Justices from the Court, to the place where they dine.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1667 (1955) III. 479 His Majestie went to Chapell, with the Knights.., ushered by the Heraulds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > go in front of [verb (transitive)] > as a harbinger
usher1629
1629 J. Gaule Practique Theories Christs Predict. Ep. Ded. sig. A5 You shall see your Sauiour at once Vshered, Afforded, Humbled, & Exalted: Vshered by his Prophets, afforded in his Person.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iii. vi. 118 [Richard I] set forth [to the Crusade] with many of our nation; which either ushered or followed him.
1646 G. Hills tr. M. K. Sarbiewski Odes Casimire Pref. Juno and Venus ushered by chaste love Through..Flora's banks here move.
c. figurative and transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > go in front of [verb (transitive)]
foregoc900
precedec1475
preventa1500
fore-ride1570
fore-run1570
usher1599
huisher1606
1599 T. Storer Life & Death Wolsey sig. H1v Who follow'd me, but Fortune was at hand, To follow him? or, if she went before, To vsher him?
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida iii. sig. E2 Gastly amazement..Shall hurry on before, and vsher vs.
1616 B. Jonson Epicœne iv. i, in Wks. I. 567 Nor will it bee out of your gaine to make loue to her too, so shee follow, not vsher, her ladies pleasure. View more context for this quotation
1621 R. Brathwait Natures Embassie (1877) 203 My friends..Wish'd that all good successe might vsher mee.
a1668 W. Davenant Play-house to Let (1673) iii. i Wilt thou now guided be By that bright Star which ushers me.
d. To precede, come or happen immediately before, in order of time; to lead up to. (Cf. 7c.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > precede or come before [verb (transitive)]
forecomea1300
precede?a1425
fore-run1590
usher1607
eve1638
to usher in1641
surmounta1647
antevene1655
antedate1664
antecedea1676
anticipate1855
precourse1888
predate1889
precursea1892
1607 Merry Devil Edmonton i. ii. 55 In and feed, And let that vsher a more serious deed.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads v. 864 Pitchy tempests threat, Usher'd with horrid gusts of wind.
1616 B. Jonson Epigrammes ci, in Wks. I. 799 Some better sallade Vshring the mutton.
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. vii. 298 Such an application to Court as usually ushered in those promotions.
1821 P. B. Shelley Adonais xxi. 14 Evening must usher night, night urge the morrow.
1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus v. i. 138 The day at last has broken. What a night Hath usher'd it!
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > domestic servant > act as domestic servant [verb (transitive)] > act as usher at banquet
usher1602
1602 T. Dekker Satiro-mastix sig. K4 Euen thus the Mercury of Heauen, Vshers th' ambrosiate banquet of the Gods.
4. To introduce (something uttered); to preface. (Cf. 7e.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > introduce
premit?c1425
premisec1450
infera1529
preamble1628
usher1635
to usher in1662
1635 A. Stafford Femall Glory 55 She made two pawses usher her answer.
1637 C. Dow Answer to H. Burton 159 Divine offices..must not bee curtall'd..by..any new-devised formes of praier, either ushering, or following them.
1717 A. Pope Eloisa to Abelard in Wks. 419 Oh name for ever sad!.. Still breath'd in sighs, still usher'd with a tear.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > cause to move in a direction [verb (transitive)]
steerc888
righteOE
wisec1330
guy1362
makea1425
guide?a1505
to make forth1508
direct1526
to make out1560
bend1582
incline1597
work1667
usher1668
head1826
humour1847
vector1966
target1974
the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > cause to have specific direction
bowc1380
benda1522
incline1597
usher1668
trend1840
1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) ii. x. 120 The External [membrane].. sticks close to the intermediate Ligaments.., and ushers along the recurrent Nerves.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. ii. 649 Skill In ushering to its mark the rapid lance.
6. To introduce or bring into the world.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > introduction or bringing in > introduce or bring something in [verb (transitive)]
inbringc1000
induce1401
to bring up1484
invect1548
introduce1559
inject1639
usher1679
1679 C. Ness Distinct Disc. Antichrist 6 Harbingers..to usher him into the world.
1713 R. Steele Englishman No. i. 5 The Jest..is ushered into the World by the loudest Laughter.
1756 H. Johnson in J. Duncombe Lett. Several Eminent Persons Deceased (1773) III. 38 You have done a great favour to the world in ushering so noble..a work into it.
1834 F. Marryat Jacob Faithful I. i. 11 It was about a year after the loss..that I was ushered into the world.
1855 D. Brewster Mem. Life I. Newton (new ed.) II. xviii. 172 The theory he ushered into the world.
7. to usher in (see also 1).
a. To bring in (a banquet, meat, etc.) with ceremony.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)]
servec1275
spenda1375
serve1381
to serve forth1381
ministerc1400
messa1425
sewc1440
to serve ina1450
to serve upc1475
asservec1500
dish1587
appose1593
to usher in1613
send1662
to hand round1692
to serve away1709
hand1851
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come into [verb (transitive)] > bring in > formally
usher1596
to usher in1613
introduce1685
1613 T. Heywood Siluer Age ii. sig. C4 Vsher me in a costly banquet straight To entertaine my Lord.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 94 The Captain's Bell calls him to usher in the Apple Dumplins.
1829 S. H. Cassan Lives Bishops of Bath & Wells 262 The meat was ushered in.
b. To inaugurate or bring in (a period of time).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > initiating or causing to begin > initiate [verb (transitive)] > inaugurate > an era or period of time
to usher in1609
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets cxxxii. sig. H4v That full Starre that vshers in the Eauen. View more context for this quotation
1656 S. Winter Serm. 147 That so he might usher in the eternitie of the world.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 276 The Morning being ushered in with..Music.
1782 W. Cowper Hope in Poems 177 If chance..A tempest usher in the dreaded morn.
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §306 The year 1762 was ushered in with stormy weather.
1827 H. W. Longfellow in S. Longfellow Life H. W. Longfellow (1891) I. viii. 121 The day was ‘ushered in’, as the newspapers say, by the firing of cannon.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam lxx. 98 Dim dawn,..Who usherest in the dolorous hour With thy quick tears.
1872 J. Yeats Techn. Hist. Commerce 298 The French Revolution ushered in a new era of taste.
c. = sense 2d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > precede or come before [verb (transitive)]
forecomea1300
precede?a1425
fore-run1590
usher1607
eve1638
to usher in1641
surmounta1647
antevene1655
antedate1664
antecedea1676
anticipate1855
precourse1888
predate1889
precursea1892
1641 H. Maisterson Serm. 18 An anteambulo to usher in a thousand pains.
1695 J. Edwards Disc. conc. Old & New-Test. III. ix. 414 The Lord, who was to be usher'd in by Elijah the Prophet.
1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 44 Flowers..appear only to usher in the Fruit, or the Seed; afterwards they fade.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 363. ¶18 That vision of Lewdness and Luxury, which ushers in the Flood.
a1716 R. South 12 Serm. (1717) V. 89 Every Fast portended some Villany, as still a Famine ushers in a Plague.
a1721 M. Prior Many Daughters have done Well 10 How welcome did that light appear Which usher'd in a form all Heav'nly fair.
d. To mark the introduction, beginning, or occurrence of (an event, etc.); to introduce.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > initiating or causing to begin > initiate [verb (transitive)] > inaugurate
auspicate1611
augurate1624
to usher in1646
inaugurate1755
augur1865
1646 J. Hall Horæ Vacivæ 8 They generally usher in uproares in the State.
1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico vii. 49 These punishments seemed only to usher in the Death of the two Counts.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xiv. 394 A convenient place to usher in a Commerce with the Neighbouring Country.
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 23 But oh th' important budget! usher'd in With..heart-shaking music.
1801 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 5 231 Increased heats..already described as ushering in the hæmorrhage.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. x. 106 The symptoms..bear a very strong analogy to those which usher in typhus.
1870 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (ed. 2) I. App. 738 The event of 1018..was ushered in by a comet.
e. = sense 4.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > introduce
premit?c1425
premisec1450
infera1529
preamble1628
usher1635
to usher in1662
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. vi. §5 Their deliverance by Cyrus..he ushers..in with this preface that [etc.].
1673 True Notion Worship of God 8 These Sacrifices not only accompanying their Confessions..; but their Hymns and Doxologies also,..to usher them in with more acceptance.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 222 He would have usher'd the Word in with some kind of introduction.
1757 T. Gray Let. 28 Sept. in Corr. (1971) II. 528 All that ushers in the incantation from ‘Try we yet..’, I am delighted with.
a1763 W. King Polit. & Lit. Anecd. (1819) 154 He was..so unfortunate as to usher in his criticisms with [etc.].
1814 T. Chalmers Evid. Christian Revel. ii. ii The quotation is..ushered in by the general words, ‘As it is written’.
Derivatives
ˈushering adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > [adjective]
menablea1393
guidinga1616
ushering1628
conducting1632
near-ushering1637
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > [adjective] > preliminary or introductory
preparatory1442
proemial1447
isagogicala1529
liminary1603
inducing1605
prelusive1605
preambling1608
prefatory?c1622
ushering1628
preambulary1630
inductory1632
introductive1638
prelusory1638
preambulous1646
preambular1647
preludial1647
preliminary1650
prefacive1651
preludious1651
introitory1652
prodromous1652
introductory1660
superliminary1675
exordiala1682
prodrome1682
prodromal1716
premisory1844
prefatiala1848
inductive1868
prolusory1868
inleading1889
prodromic1891
1628 A. Leighton Appeal to Parl. 145 Why breaketh out the fearfull wrath of God..among us, but because of Baal-peor his ushering Ceremonies..?
1637 J. Milton Comus 10 Could that [sc. darkness] divide you from neere-ushering guides?
1820 J. Clare Poems Rural Life (ed. 3) 32 That rural call..All noises now to silence lulls, In soft and ushering sounds.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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