usher

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

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

   The usher showed us to our seats

2. 2
   noun

   An assistant to a head teacher or schoolteacher; an assistant teacher.

   [H]e defrayed the expence of his entrance, and left him in the particular care and inspection of the usher, who […] though obliged by the scandalous administration of fortune to act in the character of an inferior teacher, had by his sole capacity and application, brought the school to that degree of reputation which it never could have obtained from the talents of his superior.

3. 3
   verb

   To guide people to their seats.

   Her entrance into church on Sunday is always the signal for a little bustle in the side aisle, occasioned by a general rise among the poor people, who bow and curtsey until the pew-opener has ushered the old lady into her accustomed seat, dropped a respectful curtsey, and shut the door;

4. 4
   verb

   To accompany or escort (someone).

   [N]ay he can ſing / A meane moſt meanely, and in huſhering, / Mende him who can[.]

5. 5
   verb

   To precede; to act as a forerunner or herald.

   Thus the Harvard poets and wits ushered The New England Courant out of existence.

6. 6
   verb

   To lead or guide somewhere.

   McCoist unexpectedly ushered back a defender of his own with Kirk Broadfoot taking over from Steven Whittaker. There was, of course, another change, Kyle Bartley stepping in at centre-half to replace suspended Dorin Goian.

7. 7
   noun

   someone employed to conduct others

8. 8
   noun

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

Etymology

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.