Category:Porter

Por"ter, n. Etym: [f. portier, l. portarius, from porta a gate, door. See port a gate.]

Defn: a man who has charge of a door or gate; a doorkeeper; one who Waits at the door to receive messages. Shak. To him the porter openeth. John x. 3.

Porter Por"ter, n. Etym: [f. porteur, fr. porter to carry, l. portare. See Port to carry.]

1. A carrier; one who carries or conveys burdens, luggage, etc.; for Hire.

2. (forging)

Defn: a bar of iron or steel at the end of which a forging is made; Esp., a long, large bar, to the end of which a heavy forging is Attached, and by means of which the forging is lifted and handled is Hammering and heating; -- called also porter bar.

3. A malt liquor, of a dark color and moderately bitter taste, Possessing tonic and intoxicating qualities.

Note: porter is said to be so called as having been first used Chiefly by the london porters, and this application of the word is Supposed to be not older than 1750.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Porter - A gate-keeper (2 Samuel 18:26; 2 Kings 7:10; 1 Chronicles 9:21; 2 Chronicles 8:14). Of the Levites, 4,000 were appointed as porters by David (1 Chronicles 23:5), who were arranged according to their families (1 Chr. 26:1-19) to take charge of the doors and gates of the temple. They were sometimes employed as musicians (1 Chronicles 15:18).