n. & v.
n. 1 a person who shows people to their seats in a hall or theatre etc. 2 a doorkeeper at a court etc. 3 Brit. an officer walking before a person of rank. 4 archaic or joc. an assistant teacher.
v.tr. 1 act as usher to. 2 (usu. foll. by in) announce or show in etc. (ushered us into the room; ushered in a new era). ushership n.
[ ME f. AF usser, OF uissier, var. of huissier f. med.L ustiarius for L ostiarius f. ostium door ]