usher

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To lead or guide someone to a place, especially to their seat.

   An attendant ushered us to our seats near the front of the theatre.

2. 2
   noun

   A person who shows people to their seats at an event such as a wedding or concert.

   The usher handed each guest a programme at the door.

3. 3
   verb

   To mark or bring in the start of something new.

   The new law ushered in a period of major reform.

From Middle English ussher, uscher, usscher, from Anglo-Norman usser and Old French ussier, uissier (“porter, doorman”) (compare French huissier), from Vulgar Latin *ustiārius (“doorkeeper”), from Latin ōstiārius, from ōstium (“door”). Akin to ōs (“mouth”). Probably a doublet of ostiary and huissier.

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