Bier
/bɪər/noun
A stand or framework used for carrying or displaying a coffin or a dead body.
Did you know?Bier is closely related to the verb bear, preserving an ancient linguistic link between carrying burdens and carrying the dead.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bher-
“to carry or bear”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*berą
“a carrying or bearing”
Old English
OE
bǣr
“a bier or frame for carrying a corpse”
Middle English
ME
bere
“a bier or funeral litter”
14th–15th Century
English
bier
“a frame for carrying a dead body”
Modern English
English
bier
“a stand or framework for a coffin or corpse”