husting

English

Etymology

From Old English hūsting, from Old Norse húsþing (“house assembly”)[1], from hús (“house”) + þing (“council, meeting”).

Noun

husting (plural hustings)

Usually used in the plural (hustings) but with a singular verb.

  1. A platform where candidates in an election give speeches.
  2. (historical) An assembly, especially one of the retainers of a ruler.
    • 2003, John Hamilton Baker, The Oxford History of the Laws of England: c. 900-1216, page 819:
      most important business […] took place at the husting.

Usage notes

The plural hustings is used more often than the singular husting, even for a single platform. The plural hustings also has a metaphorical sense of an election campaign in general.

See also

References

  1. ↑ hustings in Meriam-Webster's Dictionary

Anagrams

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