Ush"er (?), n. [OE. ussher, uschere, OF. ussier, uisser, oissier,
hussier, huissier, fr. L. ostiarius a doorkeeper, fr. ostium a door,
entrance, fr. os mouth. See Oral, and cf. Ostiary.]
1. An officer or servant who has the care of the door of a court, hall,
chamber, or the like; hence, an officer whose business it is to
introduce strangers, or to walk before a person of rank. Also, one who
escorts persons to seats in a church, theater, etc. "The ushers and the
squires." Chaucer.
These are the ushers of Marcius.
Shak.
There are various officers of this kind attached to the royal household
in England, including the gentleman usher of the black rod, who attends
in the House of Peers during the sessions of Parliament, and twelve or
more gentlemen ushers. See Black rod.