What is "hearse"

Hearse \Hearse\ (h[~e]rs), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A hind in the second year of its age. [Eng.]
--Wright.

Hearse \Hearse\ (h[~e]rs), n. [See Herse.]

1. A framework of wood or metal placed over the coffin or tomb of a deceased person, and covered with a pall; also, a temporary canopy bearing wax lights and set up in a church, under which the coffin was placed during the funeral ceremonies. [Obs.]
   --Oxf. Gloss.

2. A grave, coffin, tomb, or sepulchral monument. [Archaic] ``Underneath this marble hearse.''
   --B. Johnson.

   Beside the hearse a fruitful palm tree grows.
   --Fairfax

   Who lies beneath this sculptured hearse.
   --Longfellow.

3. A bier or handbarrow for conveying the dead to the grave.

   Set down, set down your honorable load, It honor may be shrouded in a hearse.
   --Shak.

4. A carriage or motor vehicle specially adapted or used for conveying the dead to the grave in a coffin.

Hearse \Hearse\, v. t. To inclose in a hearse; to entomb. [Obs.] ``Would she were hearsed at my foot.''
--Shak.

c.1300 (late 13c. in Anglo-Latin), "flat framework for candles, hung over a coffin," from Old French herse, formerly herce "large rake for breaking up soil, harrow; portcullis," also "large chandelier in a church," from Medieval Latin hercia, from Latin hirpicem (nominative hirpex) "harrow," from Oscan hirpus "wolf," supposedly in allusion to its teeth. Or the Oscan word may be related to Latin hirsutus "shaggy, bristly." The funeral display so called because it resembled a harrow; hearse in its sense of "portcullis" is not attested in English before 15c. For spelling, see head. Sense extended to other temporary frameworks built over dead people, then to "vehicle for carrying a body," a sense first recorded 1640s.

n. 1 A hind in the second year of its age. 2 A framework of wood or metal placed over the coffin or tomb of a deceased person, and covered with a pall; also, a temporary canopy bearing wax lights and set up in a church, under which the coffin was placed during the funeral ceremonies. 3 A grave, coffin, tomb, or sepulchral monument. 4 A bier or handbarrow for conveying the dead to the grave. 5 A carriage or vehicle specially adapted or used for transporting a dead person to the place of funeral or to the grave. vb. (context dated English) To enclose in a hearse; to entomb.

n. a vehicle for carrying a coffin to a church or a cemetery; formerly drawn by horses but now usually a motor vehicle

A hearse is a funeral vehicle used to carry a coffin/casket/urn from a church or funeral home to a cemetery. In the funeral trade, hearses are often called funeral coaches.

Hearse is a Swedish melodic death metal band, founded by vocalist Johan Liiva (ex- Arch Enemy) and drummer Max Thornell in 2001. The band have released five albums to date.