Emily Dickinson Lexicon

USH'ER, n. [Fr. huissier, a door-keeper, from huis, It. uscio, a door.]

1. Properly, an officer or servant who has the care of the door of a court, hall, chamber or the like; hence, an officer whose business is to introduce strangers, or to walk before a person of rank. In the king's household there are four gentlemen-ushers of the privy chamber. There is also an usher of the exchequer, who attends the barons, sherifs, juries, &c. Cyc. England.
2. An under-teacher or assistant to the preceptor of a school.