A common word for a train steward, the gent who fixes up your Pullman sleeper car cabin, or ports your bags to and from the storage compartments; though this term has gone out of style.

Some older rail employees still want to be called porters, but they're in the minority. Most find it to be a derogatory term, like boy or worse.

A malty, dark beer in the ale (as opposed to lager) family. Lighter, but more bitter than the stout.

"Porter" - The main character in the novels of Richard Stark (aka Donald Westlake). Porter is a professional thief/anti-hero of exceptional intelligence, out-smarting criminal and cop alike.

Novels featuring Porter include The Hunter and Slayground.

He has also made his mark on the big screen in two adaptations of The Hunter: Point Blanc and Payback.

Por"ter (?), 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.

To him the porter openeth. John x. 3.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Por"ter, 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.

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 is hammering and heating; -- called also porter bar.

3.

A malt liquor, of a dark color and moderately bitter taste, possessing tonic and intoxicating qualities.

⇒ 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.

 

© Webster 1913.