I. ˈberə(r), ˈba(a)r- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English berere, from beren to carry + -er — more at bear
1.
a. : one bearing a communication to or involving another
rewarding the bearer before reading the note
b. : one who holds a check, note, draft, or other order for the payment of money ; specifically : the person in possession of a check payable to bearer whether so drawn or having become so by being last endorsed in blank
2.
a. : one that bears: as
(1) : carrier , porter
the bearers stopped at the door
(2) : a man carrying baggage and supplies for travelers in a situation in which other means of transport are lacking
native bearers serving the safari
b. : one that aids actually or symbolically in carrying a dead person in a funeral proceeding : pallbearer
c. : a palanquin bearer
d. India : a personal or household servant
e. : a military corpsman who carries stretchers and attends the wounded
3. : one that affords, yields, produces, or supplies
trees that are good bearers
4.
a. : one that holds or enjoys an indicated rank, office, or endowment ; specifically : incumbent
an office- bearer
b. : one marked by a distinctive cultural tradition
the invasion of Mexico by Spanish culture bearers
5.
a. : one that supports or upholds : one that bears a weight
posts, walls, and other bearers
: a small member (as one of a series) used primarily to support another member or structure (as one of the short pieces of quartering supporting the winders of winding stairs)
b. : something that protects a printing surface from excessive pressure (as from an inking or impressing mechanism) or prevents the inking of a blank part: as
(1) : one of the pieces of type-high material placed near the corners of the bed of a handpress
(2) : a track on the bed of a press against which cylinder or rollers rotate
(3) : type-high material placed in the blank parts of a form or left on the face of an engraving or plate to protect it during molding
II. adjective
1. : freely negotiable by the holder
a bearer check
2. : not registered with full title being transferred merely by delivery
bearer securities