noun

huer

Huer (noun) means a person who shouts a warning or raises an alarm. Example: “The huer's cry sent everyone running for the doors.”

noun

A person who shouts a warning or raises an alarm.

"The huer's cry sent everyone running for the doors."

Historically, a lookout stationed on a cliff in Cornwall who spotted shoals of pilchards and shouted directions to the fishing boats below.

"From his post on the headland, the huer signalled the boats the moment the pilchards turned silver in the bay."

How to use huer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone whose job or role is to cry out an alarm — most specifically the old Cornish fish-spotter on the clifftop.

When to use it

Chiefly historical; you'll mostly meet this in writing about Cornwall's pilchard fishing industry.

Word forms

huers plural

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Can you complete this real example?

The _____'s cry sent everyone running for the doors.

Etymology

Built from the verb "hue" (to shout or raise a cry) plus the agent suffix "-er" — literally, "one who hues."

Rhymes for huer

Bauer bluer conquer lacquer rescuer exchequer Schopenhauer

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Frequently asked questions

What does “huer” mean?

The word “huer” means a person who shouts a warning or raises an alarm. In plain terms, someone whose job or role is to cry out an alarm — most specifically the old Cornish fish-spotter on the clifftop.

How do you use “huer” in a sentence?

Here is “huer” used in a sentence: “The huer's cry sent everyone running for the doors.”

What part of speech is “huer”?

“Huer” is a noun.

How many meanings does “huer” have?

“Huer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who shouts a warning or raises an alarm.