ˈhearse-cloth
[f. hearse n.]
A black cloth to cover a bier or coffin; a funeral pall.
| 1522 Churchw. Acc. St. Marg. Westm. (Nichols 1797) 9 Sir Robert Danby Curett..of him, for his herst-cloth 2s. 1530 Palsgr. 231/1 Herse clothe, poille. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. iv. ix. 282 No more then a dead corps is affected with a velvet herse-cloth over it. 1650 R. Stapylton Strada's Low C. Warres x. 22 Foure Mourners..each of them holding in their hands a corner of the Herse-Cloth. 1829 Heath Grocers' Comp. (1869) 14 note, The Fishmonger's Company have preserved their herseclothe or pall..at their Hall. |