Library / English Dictionary

USHER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Someone employed to conduct others

Synonyms:

guide; usher

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("usher" is a kind of...):

escort (an attendant who is employed to accompany someone)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "usher"):

usherette (a female usher)

Derivation:

usher (take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums)

usherette (a female usher)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An official stationed at the entrance of a courtroom or legislative chamber

Synonyms:

doorkeeper; usher

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("usher" is a kind of...):

functionary; official (a worker who holds or is invested with an office)

Derivation:

usherette (a female usher)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Irish prelate who deduced from the Bible that Creation occurred in the year 4004 BC (1581-1656)

Synonyms:

James Usher; James Ussher; Usher; Ussher

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Instance hypernyms:

archpriest; hierarch; high priest; prelate; primate (a senior clergyman and dignitary)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

Example:

The usher showed us to our seats

Synonyms:

show; usher

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "usher" is one way to...):

conduct; direct; guide; lead; take (take somebody somewhere)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "usher"):

marshal (lead ceremoniously, as in a procession)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

usher (someone employed to conduct others)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Miss Cushing was sitting in the front room, into which we were ushered.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Catherine too made some purchases herself, and when all these matters were arranged, the important evening came which was to usher her into the Upper Rooms.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

A measured step was heard upon the stairs, and a moment later a stout, tall, grey-whiskered and solemnly respectable person was ushered into the room.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The new-comer to whom this abrupt query had been addressed was a tall and exceedingly handsome cavalier who had just been ushered into the apartment.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A footman answered our knock, and we were ushered into a large drawing-room with sombre furniture and melancholy curtains.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I sought Mr. Mason, delivered the message, and preceded him from the room: I ushered him into the library, and then I went upstairs.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

While he was thus reasoning and resolving with himself, a sardral, or gentleman-usher, came from court, commanding my master to carry me immediately thither for the diversion of the queen and her ladies.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Half an hour later Negook and his uncle, Hadikwan, were ushered into the death chamber. They came unwillingly, Hans with his rifle herding them along.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Several days of unusually mild weather fitly ushered in a splendid Christmas Day.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The United Nations agency says rising temperatures are ushering in more extreme weather with huge socioeconomic impact.

(World Meteorological Org.: Arctic Warming Appears Irreversible, VOA)