Both Uses of
officiate
in
A Tale of Two Cities
- From the Palace of the Tuileries, through Monseigneur and the whole Court, through the Chambers, the Tribunals of Justice, and all society (except the scarecrows), the Fancy Ball descended to the Common Executioner: who, in pursuance of the charm, was required to officiate "frizzled, powdered, in a gold-laced coat, pumps, and white silk stockings."†
Chpt 2.7 *
- The officiating undertakers made some protest against these changes in the ceremonies; but, the river being alarmingly near, and several voices remarking on the efficacy of cold immersion in bringing refractory members of the profession to reason, the protest was faint and brief.†
Chpt 2.14
Definition:
-
(officiate) act in an official capacity -- such as when enforcing rules at a sports event or presiding over a wedding ceremony