*porter*

n. Same as Colporteur. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who exports; the person who sends goods or commodities to a foreign country, in the way of commerce; -- opposed to importer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who imports; the merchant who brings goods into a country or state; -- opposed to exporter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. portier, L. portarius, from porta a gate, door. See Port a gate. ] A man who has charge of a door or gate; a doorkeeper; one who waits at the door to receive messages. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To him the porter openeth. John x. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Forging) 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 in hammering and heating; -- called also porter bar. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A malt liquor, of a dark color and moderately bitter taste, possessing tonic and intoxicating qualities. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The work of a porter; the occupation of a carrier or of a doorkeeper. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Money charged or paid for the carriage of burdens or parcels by a porter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Portress. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A house where porter is sold. [ 1913 Webster ]

Porterhouse steak, a steak cut from a sirloin of beet, including the upper and under part. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who reports. Specifically: (a) An officer or person who makes authorized statements of law proceedings and decisions, or of legislative debates. (b) One who reports speeches, the proceedings of public meetings, news, etc., for the newspapers. [ 1913 Webster ]

Of our tales judge and reportour. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who sports; a sportsman. [ 1913 Webster ]

As this gentleman and I have been old fellow sporters, I have a friendship for him. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, supports; as, oxygen is a supporter of life. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sockets and supporters of flowers are figured. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

The saints have a . . . supporter in all their miseries. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Especially, an adherent; one who sustains, advocates, and defends; as, the supporter of a party, faction, or candidate. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Shipbuilding) A knee placed under the cathead. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Her.) A figure, sometimes of a man, but commonly of some animal, placed on either side of an escutcheon, and exterior to it. Usually, both supporters of an escutcheon are similar figures. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Med.) A broad band or truss for supporting the abdomen or some other part or organ. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]