husting

noun

hus·​ting
ˈhəstiŋ,
-tēŋ
plural -s
1
: a deliberative assembly or council in early medieval England
especially : one called by a king or other leader
2
a
or hustings plural but singular in construction : a court held in London before the lord mayor, recorder, and sheriffs or aldermen
b
hustings plural but singular in construction or hustings court : a local court in some cities in Virginia
3
or hustings plural but singular in construction : the upper end or dais of the guildhall where the London husting sits
4
a
or hustings plural but singular in construction : a raised platform from which candidates for the British Parliament were formerly nominated and from which they addressed their constituency
b
: the proceedings at a parliamentary election
5
hustings plural but singular or plural in construction
a
: an election platform : stump
the charge … is expected to resound from political hustings throughout the landForeign Policy Bulletin
b
: an act or process of electioneering
an election which has generated far more excitement than the usual off-year hustingsSaturday Review
the rough give-and-take of the hustingsYale Review

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hūsting, from Old Norse hūsthing, from hūs house + thing assembly

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of husting was before the 12th century

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Dictionary Entries Near husting

Cite this Entry

“Husting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/husting. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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