sb. and a. See also INTRANT. [a. Fr. entrant, pr. pple. of entrer to ENTER.]
A. sb. One who or that which enters. Also fig.
1. One who comes or goes into (a room, etc.); a person entering; an incomer; a visitor.
a. 1856. H. Miller, Rambles Geol. (1858), 252. Remarking that the entrant was ‘only the green lady.’
1866. R. Chambers, Ess., Ser. II. 23. Mr. Sydenham was there … to welcome the entrants, manage introductions.
1884. Times, 15 Oct., 9/1. The abuse of public meeting involved in a selection of the entrants.
fig. 1857. G. Wilson, Gateways Knowl. (1859), 15. As the privileged entrant counsels, the great arms and limbs of the body are set in motion.
1889. County Govt. Rev., 2 Jan., 417. The latest entrant to the controversy is our contemporary the Law Times.
b. One who makes legal entry; one who enters into the possession of land, etc.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr., III. (1636), 36. Because one entred upon the Priory of Barnewell by the Popes Bull, the said Entrant was committed to the Tower of London.
2. One who enters into or becomes a member of an institution or profession. Const. into.
1800. A. Carlyle, Ant., 249. The sudden call for young men to fill up vacancies … obliged the Church to take their entrants from the lower ranks.
1839–57. Alison, Hist. Europe, IX. xxii. 8. The influences of these new entrants appeared in the secrecy and ability with which the measures were taken.
1845. McCulloch, Taxation, I. iv. (1852), 122. There would be a greater influx of entrants into professional businesses.
1875. Modern Circular, Mutual Entrants in 1876 participate in the Eighth Division of Profits.
1880. Fraser’s Mag., No. 701. The entrant to the Scotch National Church … is only legally required to subscribe the Confession of Faith.
b. One who ‘enters’ as a competitor. Also fig.
1838. Fraser’s Mag., XVIII. 725/2. We have in the victors … the names and material of the successful entrants.
1883. H. Drummond, Nat. Law in Spir. W., xii. (1884), 411. Of the millions of possible entrants for advancement … the number ultimately selected for preferment is small.
Mod. The prizes will depend on the number of entrants.
B. adj. That enters, in senses of the verb.
1640–1. Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855), 12. The entrant tenants, at Whitsounday last … shall be lyable for mantainance of the foote sogers.
1651. Life Father Sarpi (1676), p. xviii. The Father … could not be satisfied how the humour of Gold could be made entrant.
