HARBINGER, originally one who provided shelter for an army (from M.E. herbergere, formed from O.H. Ger. heri, an army, and Bergen, shelter). The meaning was enlarged .to include any place where travellers could be lodged, and also the person who provided lodgings, or one who went on before a party to secure lodgings; hence, figuratively, in literature a fore-runner. A harbinger was also the herald sent to announce the king's corn ing, and until 1846 a Knight Harbinger was an officer in the royal household.