▪ I. usher, n.
(ˈʌʃə(r))
Forms: 4–5 vsscher, usscher, uscher, 5 vschere, vshure, 6 vscher; 4–5 vssher (5 -ere), 4–6 ussher (5 -ere), 6 vsher, 5– usher (7 ushier); 4 oyschere, 5 oischer; Sc. 5 isscheare, 5–6 ischar, 6 ischair, -ear, 7 isher.
[a. AF. usser (12th c.), OF. ussier, uissier, uscier, var. of huisier, etc., huisher n. Cf. ostiary.]
1. An official or servant who has charge of the door and admits people to a hall, chamber, etc.; a door-keeper; 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.
| c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 293 The vsshers and the squiers been ygoon, The spices and the wyn is come anoon. a 1400–50 Boke of Curtasye 30 in Babees Bk. 300 Whille marshalle or vssher come fro þe dore, And bydde the sitte, or to borde the lede. c 1400 Northern Passion (H.) 617 Saint iohn spak to vsscher þan. c 1410 Sir Cleges 287 The vsscher at the hall dore was Wyth a staffe stondynge. a 1470 H. Parker Dives & Pauper (W. de W. 1496) vi. xi. 249/1 She dyd hyr offyce, for she was usshere and keper at the dore. 1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. xcvi. 110 b/1 Than the squyer..called the vssher to open the dore. c 1610 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 Govt. Venice 121 He disposes of the little Offices about the Palace, as the Ushers and others. 1694 E. Chamberlayne Pres. St. England i. iii. 681 Chelsea College... There are several other..Servants, as..Sexton, Usher, Porters [etc.]. 1728 Chambers Cycl. (1738) s.v., The ushers of the inquisition..think themselves highly honoured, by only looking to the doors of the sacred tribunal. 1799 Report Comm. Courts of Justice 29 Usher of the Court. Ibid. 31 The Court of King's Bench..[Officers include] Usher and Cryer. Deputy Cryers. Deputy Ushers. 1868 Dickens Let. 3 Jan., 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. fig.,
transf., and in
fig. context.
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 163 Crist..haþ resoun of many þingis; for he is dore, he is ussher. 1387 Trevisa Higden v. xvii. (MS. Cott. Tib. D. vii.) fol. 188 Seþþe..so meny..priueleges..were ygrauntet to petur y dare noȝt wiþsygge [so] grete and soche an oyschere and porter. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 20 Make eie to be vsher, good vsage to haue, make bolt to be porter. 1594 Zepheria v. B 3, Feare, Centinell of sad discretion,..Cares Vsher, Tenant to his owne oppression. 1630 Prynne Anti-Armin. 258 Arminianisme is but a Bridge, an Vsher vnto grosse Popery. 1638 T. Whitaker Blood of Grape 4 As if Satiation were the Usher of diseases. 1709 Steele & Swift Tatler No. 67 ¶10 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 Stewart & Tait Unseen Univ. i. §5. 27 Being the usher of souls in their passage to the future state. |
c. Const.
of (the hall, chamber, etc.).
| a 1400–50 Bk. Curtasye 432 in Babees Bk., Speke I wylle a lytulle qwyle Of vssher of chambur, with-outen gyle. [Description of his duties follows.] ? 1436 Pol., Rel., & L. Poems (1903) 13, I was put to þe Soudenys house & was made vssher of halle. 1480 Acta Dom. Conc. (1839) 49/1 Sir Johne of Culquhone..vschare in þe tyme of oure souerane lordis chawmer durre. 1503 Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot. II. 311 John Knox ischar of the hall. 1538 Elyot, Admissionales, vshers of the chambre. 1623 Cockeram ii, An Vsher of a Hall, atrict. 1728 Chambers Cycl. (1738) s.v., In the French Court there are two ushers of the ante-chamber, or hall where the king dines in public. |
| fig. a 1500 Assemb. Ladies in Skeat Chaucerian Pieces (1897) 383, I am..Of her [sc. Loyalty's] chambre her ussher. 1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. iii. lviii, Humanitie and trew Relatioun Bene ischaris of his chalmer. |
d. U.S. One who performs the functions of an usher (sense 1) at a wedding.
| 1895 Outing (U.S.) XXVII. 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. 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,
Green Rod: (see
Black Rod, and
quot. 1869).
| 1518 H. Watson Hist. Oliver of Castile (Roxb.) N 2 b, There came dyuers kynges and herauldes of armes, and after came the Vsshers. 1553 Rutland Papers (Camden) 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 Phillips (ed. 4) s.v., 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 Echard Hist. Eng. III. 622 The Usher of the Black-Rod commanded their Attendance in the House of Lords. 1721 Ramsay Poems I. List of Subscribers, Usher of the Green Rod, and daily Waiter to his Majesty. 1850 Marsden Early Purit. 402 The king sent down the usher of the House of Lords with a message. 1869 Cussans Her. 235 The Officers attached to this Noble Order [of the Knights of the Thistle] are: The Dean;..and the Usher of the Green Rod. |
| fig. 1641 Milton Reform. 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. |
| transf. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husbandry iii. 116 A Colt..passeth bridges, not tarriing for an vsher, nor fearing the Ise. 1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iii. vi. 44 The wife of Anttony Should haue an Army for an Vsher. 1626 T. H[awkins] Caussin's Holy Crt. 37 Anciently Pearles were called Vshers, because they made way for Ladyes, who were attyred with them. 1726 Pope Odyssey xvii. 251 The good old proverb how this pair fulfill! One rogue is usher to another still. 1763 Churchill The Ghost iv. 37 A downright Usher to admit New-Comers to the Court of Wit. |
† b. A male attendant on a lady.
Obs.| 1621 Fletcher Wild-G. Chase iii. i, If she want an Usher; such an implement; One that is throughly pac'd; a clean made Gentleman; Can hold a hanging up. 1649 Davenant Love & Honour i. i, Consumptive Ushers that are decay'd In their Ladies service. 1664 Butler Hud. ii. i. 96 She call'd for Hood And Usher, Implements abroad Which Ladies wear. 1749 Smollett Gil Blas i. xvi, A lady who..was squired by an old usher [F. écuyer], and a little black moor carried her train. 1809 Malkin Gil Blas i. xvi. ¶2 She released her sweet hand from the custody of the usher [F. écuyer]. |
3. One who precedes or arrives before another,
esp. a higher dignitary or personage; a precursor. Also
transf. Cf. harbinger n. 3.
| 1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Matt. iii. 28 By his ussher and messenger John. c 1550 N. Smyth tr. Herodian iii. 40 b, He had certayne Usshers going before him, whiche commaunded euerye man to auoyde the stretes. 1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T. ii. 151 That other lesson..[Christ] suffered his Ushers that went before him to teach. 1847 Emerson Initial Love 75 Heralds high before him [sc. Cupid] run, He has ushers many a one. |
b. transf. That which precedes or gives intimation of the approach or advent of a person or thing.
| c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. l. i, God comes,..His guarde huge stormes, hot flames his ushers goe. 1599 Sir J. Davies Hymns of Astræa 5 Early, chearfull, mounting Larke, Lights gentle Vsher. 1633 P. Fletcher Elisa i. xxviii, Ah death!.. Thou one meals fast, usher to endlesse feasting. 1640 J. Gower Ovid's Festiv. ii. 32 In comes the Lecher bold;..His groping hands his warie ushers were. 1645 Stapylton tr. Musæus C j b, Leander..Expecting the sad Torch, and to be led By that bright Vsher to his private bed. |
| fig. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia ii. xxvii, Stretching out his hand, and making vehement countenances the ushers to his speches. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxxii. §18 Fasts haue beene set as Vshers of festiuall dayes. 1607 Shakes. Cor. ii. i. 173 [Stage direction] A showt, and flourish. Volum. These are the Vshers of Martius. 1632 tr. Bruel's Praxis Med. 58 Troublesome dreames are vshers to this disease. c 1670 M. Bruce Gd. News in Evil Times, etc. (1708) 26 They make the Sabbath, as it were, Mr. Usher to their Visiting of Christ. |
c. Ent. A species of moth.
| 1819 G. Samouelle Entomol. Compend. 360 Geometra leucophearia, The Spring Usher. Ibid., [G.] nigricaria, The dark-bordered Usher. 1832 Rennie Brit. Butterfl. & Moths 102 The Spring Usher (Anisopteryx leucophearia, Stephens) appears in oak woods the end of February. Ibid., The Wall Usher (A. æscularia). |
4. An assistant to a schoolmaster or head-teacher; an under-master, assistant-master. Now
rare. Also in
fig. context.
| 1512 Nottingham Rec. (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 Haddon's Answ. to 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 Baxter Worc. Petit. Def. 6 We are but Ushers, and Christ is the..chief Master of the School. 1669 E. Chamberlayne Pres. St. Eng. ii. 483 This Colledge consists of a Master.., a Chaplain,..A Master and Usher to instruct 44 Scholars. 1687 Wood Life (O.H.S.) III. 247 He being usher to a Presbyterian scholemaster. 1711 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) III. 205 Tollet is made II{supd} Master, he being before a chief Usher. 1791 Boswell Johnson an. 1732, He accepted of an offer..as usher in the school of Market-Bosworth. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. xxvii, Conning over a few pages of Horace or Juvenal with his usher. c 1868 in Hughes Tom Brown (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. |
† b. transf. A teacher or preceptor acting under another.
Obs.| 1533 More Confut. Tindale Wks. 585/2 Oure sauiour..sent him [sc. Judas] forth..for one of hys vsshers to teache in his owne time. 1577 Hanmer Anc. Eccl. Hist. vi. xiv. 105 He ordained Heraclas..his fellowe helper, and Usher,..committing vnto him the instruction of the inferiour sort. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage i. iv. 16 Nature was his Schoole master; or if you will rather, Gods Usher. |
c. = provost n. 8.
| 1545 [see provost n. 8]. 1699 Boyer i, Prevost de sale d'armes, the Provost, or Usher of a Fencing-School. 1765 Angelo Sch. Fencing 52 When an usher..has finished his apprenticeship under an able master,..he is obliged to fence with several masters. |
† 5. Usher of the Coins,
Change, or
Exchange, an officer of the Mint.
Obs.| 1485 Cal. Patent Rolls (1914) 49 [The] countroller,..clerk and ussher of the coynes. 1485 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 365/2 The Office of Usher of the Exchaunge of oure said Soveraigne Lord, within his Towre [of London]. |
6. attrib. and
Comb., as
usher life,
usher-like.
| 1580 Fulke Martiall Confut. 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. |
Hence
ˈusherdom, the office or status of an usher;
ˈusheress, a female usher;
uˈsherian, of or pertaining to an usher or ushers;
ˈusherism, conduct or comportment characteristic of ushers.
| 1846 Worcester (citing Qu. Rev.), *Usherdom. 1905 A. C. Benson Upton Lett. 106 The ugly slough of usherdom. |
| 1879 Ch. Times 5 Sept., An appointment..as an ‘*usheress’ in a big establishment. |
| 1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey i. iv, Certain powers were..delegated to..beings called Ushers... The *usherian rule had, however, always been comparatively light at Burnsley Vicarage. |
| 1869 Ellis E.E. Pronunc. I. vi. 625 That kind of pedantic self-sufficiency which is the true growth of half-enlightened ignorance, and may be termed ‘*usherism’. |
▪ II. usher, v. (
ˈʌʃə(r))
[f. prec. Cf. huisher v.] 1. a. trans. 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
c 1820. In group (
b) with
advs.| (a) 1596 Warner Alb. Eng. xii. lxxv. 312 Vnto their Lodging Stafford did the Ladies Vsher then. 1632 J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena A 3 b, Excuse my boldnesse in ushering her Excellencie..into so excellent a presence. 1725 Pope Odyss. xvii. 447 My Lords! this stranger..The good Eumæus usher'd to your court. 1773 Cook's Voy S. Pole ii. ii. (1777) I. 202 An old gentleman came along-side, who..was some king or great man. He was accordingly, ushered on board. 1821 Scott Kenilw. xiv, The hall..to which Tressilian was ushered by one of the Earl's attendants. 1844 Disraeli Coningsby iii. iii, Whose gracious lot it was to usher them from the apartment. 1891 Farrar Darkn. & Dawn xxv, The tribune ushered her into the Emperor's chamber. |
| (b) 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xiv. x, He..ushered his visitant up stairs. 1760 in Doran Mann. & Manners (1876) II. 63 For which purpose I set forth in a Coach and Six, and ushered him in. 1835 Dickens Sk. Boz, Parish i, Simmons bows assent, and ushers the woman out. 1853 C. Brontë Villette xli, Ushering me in, he shut the door behind us. |
b. Predicated of things. Also
transf.| 1623 T. Scot Tongve-Combat 63 This brauerie..vshers them into the company of best princes. 1697 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) IV. 311 Boats having mett them with divers sorts of musick to usher them into that harbour. 1807–8 W. Irving Salmag. (1824) 169 The piece opens with a gentle andante affetuoso, which ushers you into the Assembly-room. |
c. fig.,
transf., and in
fig. context.
| 1594 [Southwell] Mary Magd. Funeral Tears 69 b, As desire is euer vshered by hope, and waited on by feare. 1612 Drayton Poly-olb. iii. 3 Yet the blushing dawn out of the chearful east Is ushering forth the day. 1623 Cockeram iii, Nusculus, a friendly fish to the Whale, it vshers him from rocks, shelues, and shores. a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Leic. ii. (1662) 130 Sir Tho. Lake may be said to have ushered him [sc. Villiers] to the English Court. 1715 Rowe Lady Jane Gray iv. i, As if his traitor father's haggard ghost, And Somerset,..had usher'd him to ruin. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones iv. i, [The hero] is generally ushered on the Stage by a large Troop of..Scene-shifters. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 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. 1806 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (ed. 4) ii. xiii, A furious wind which ushers the dust into your eyes. 1867 H. Macmillan Bible Teach. vi. 109 A new class of objects is now ushered upon the scene. 1891 Farrar Darkn. & Dawn lxvi, Those whom we ushered into the reader's presence at the beginning of this book. |
| refl. 1812 Ann. Reg., Chron. 47 This singular person ushered himself into public notice in London, by [etc.]. |
d. absol. To act as or after the manner of an usher.
| 1612 Donne Progresse of Soule, 2nd Anniversary 156 Yet Death must usher, and unlocke the doore. Thinke further on thy selfe, my Soule. 1657 F. Cockin Div. 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.| 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. a. To precede, escort, or go before (a dignitary) ceremonially as an usher.
| 1612 in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. I. 599 All his equippage was ushered by certaine officers in ritche coates. 1665 R. Brathwait Comment Two Tales (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. a 1700 Evelyn Diary 23 April 1667, His Majesty went to Chappell with the Knights of the Garter.., usher'd by the Heraulds. |
† b. To precede (a person,
esp. of higher rank) as a forerunner or harbinger. Also in
fig. context.
| 1629 Gaule Pract. The. A 5, You shall see your Sauiour at once Vshered, Afforded, Humbled, and Exalted: Vshered by his Prophets, afforded in his Person. 1639 Fuller Holy War iii. vi. 118 [Richard I] set forth [to the Crusade] with many of our nation, which either ushered or followed him. 1646 G. H[ils] Odes of Casimire Pref., Juno and Venus ushered by chaste love Through..Flora's banks here move. |
c. fig. and
transf.| 1599 T. Storer Life & D. Wolsey H j b, Who follow'd me, but Fortune was at hand, To follow him? or, if she went before, To vsher him? 1602 Marston Ant. & Mel. iii. E 2, Gastly amazement..Shall hurry on before, and vsher vs. 1609 B. Jonson Sil. Wom. iv. i, Nor will it bee out of your gaine to make loue to her too, so shee follow, not vsher, her ladies pleasure. 1621 R. Brathwait Nat. Embassie, etc. (1877) 203 My friends..Wish'd that all good successe might vsher mee. a 1668 Davenant Play House to let 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. 7 c.)
| 1607 Merry Devil Edmonton i. ii. 55 In and feed, And let that vsher a more serious deed. c 1611 Chapman Iliad v. 864 Pitchy tempests threat, Usher'd with horrid gusts of wind. 1616 B. Jonson Epigrams ci, Some better sallade Vshring the mutton. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. vii. §282 Such an application to Court as usually ushered those promotions. 1821 Shelley Adonais xxi, Evening must usher night, night urge the morrow. 1821 Byron Sardan. v. i, The day at last has broken. What a night Hath usher'd it! |
† 3. To wait at (a banquet) as an usher.
Obs.—1| 1602 Dekker Satirom. K 3 b, Euen thus the Mercury of Heauen Vshers th' ambrosiate banquet of the Gods. |
4. To introduce (something uttered); to preface. (
Cf. 7 e.)
| 1635 A. Stafford Fem. Glory 55 She made two pawses usher her answer. 1637 C. Dow Answ. to H. Burton 159 Divine offices..must not bee curtall'd..by..any new-devised formes of praier, either ushering, or following them. 1717 Pope Eloisa to Abelard 32 Oh name for ever sad!.. Still breath'd in sighs, still ushered with a tear. |
† 5. To lead, conduct, or direct (a thing) to some point.
Obs. rare.
| 1668 Culpepper & Cole tr. Barthol. Anatomy ii. x. 120 The External [membrane].. sticks close to the intermediate Ligaments.., and ushers along the recurrent Nerves. 1791 Cowper Iliad ii. 649 Skill In ushering to its mark the rapid lance. |
6. To introduce or bring
into the world.
| 1679 C. Nesse Antichrist 6 Harbingers..to usher him into the world. 1713 Steele Englishm. No. i. 5 The Jest..is ushered into the World by the loudest Laughter. 1756 H. Johnson in J. Duncombe Lett. (1773) III. 38 You have done a great favour to the world in ushering so noble..a work into it. 1835 Marryat J. Faithful i, It was about a year after the loss.., that I was ushered into the world. 1855 Brewster Newton II. xviii. 172 The theory he ushered into the world. |
| transf. 1835 Marryat J. Faithful v, I am very nearly ushered into the next World. |
7. to usher in: (see also 1).
a. To bring in (a banquet, meat, etc.) with ceremony.
| 1613 Heywood Silver Age ii. i, Vsher me in a costly banquet straight To entertaine my Lord. 1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 94 The Captain's Bell calls him to usher in the Apple-dumplins. 1829 S. H. Cassan Lives Bps. Bath & Wells 262 The meat was ushered in. |
b. To inaugurate or bring in (a period of time).
| c 1600 Shakes. Sonn. cxxxii, That full Starre that vshers in the Eauen. 1656 S. Winter Serm. 147 That so he might usher in the eternitie of the world. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 276 The Morning being ushered in with..Music. 1781 Cowper Hope 717 If chance..A tempest usher in the dreaded morn. 1791 Smeaton Edystone L. §306 The year 1762 was ushered in with stormy weather. 1827 Longfellow Life (1891) I. viii. 121 The day was ‘ushered in’, as the newspapers say, by the firing of cannon. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. lxxii, Dim dawn,..Who usherest in the dolorous hour With thy quick tears. 1872 Yeats Techn. Hist. Comm. 298 The French Revolution ushered in a new era of taste. |
c. = sense 2 d.
| 1641 Maisterton Serm. 18 An anteambulo to usher in a thousand pains. 1663 South Serm. (1717) V. 89 Every Fast portended some Villany, as still a Famine ushers in a Plague. 1695 J. Edwards Perfect. Script. 414 The Lord, who was to be usher'd in by Elijah the prophet. 1707 Curios. in Husb. & Gard. 44 Flowers..appear only to usher in the Fruit, or the Seed; afterwards they fade. 1712 Addison Spect. No. 363 ¶18 That vision of Lewdness and Luxury which usher in the Flood. a 1721 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.
| 1646 J. Hall Horæ Vac. 8 They generally usher in uproares in the State. 1650 R. Stapylton Strada's Low C. Wars vii. 49 These punishments seemed only to usher in the Death of the two Counts. 1697 W. Dampier Voy. (1729) I. 394 A convenient place to usher in a Commerce with the neighbouring country. 1784 Cowper Task iv. 23 But oh th' important budget! usher'd in With..heart-shaking music. 1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 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 Freeman Norm. Conq. (ed. 2) I. 738 The event of 1018..was ushered in by a comet. |
e. = sense 4.
| 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. ii. vi. §5 Their deliverance by Cyrus..he ushers..in with this preface that [etc.]. 1673 True 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 Bentley Phal. 222 He would have usher'd the Word in with some kind of introduction. 1757 Gray Let. Poems (1775) 252 All that ushers in the incantation from ‘Try we yet..’, I am delighted with. a 1763 W. King Lit. & Polit. Anecd. (1819) 154 He was..so unfortunate as to usher in his criticisms with [etc.]. 1814 Chalmers Evid. Chr. Revel. ii. ii, The quotation is..ushered in by the general words, ‘As it is written’. |
Hence
ˈushering ppl. a.| 1628 [A. Leighton] Appeal to Parliament 145 Why breaketh out the fearfull wrath of God..among us, but because of Baal-peor his ushering Ceremonies..? 1634 Milton Comus 279 Could that [sc. darkness] divide you from neer-ushering guides? 1820 Clare Rural Life (ed. 3) 32 That rural call..All noises now to silence lulls, In soft and ushering sounds. |