Porter \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Porter \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 in hammering and heating; -- called also porter bar.

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

Note: 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Beer \Beer\, n. [OE. beor, ber, AS. be['o]r; akin to Fries. biar, Icel. bj?rr, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E. brew. [root]93, See Brew.]

1. A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other substance to impart a bitter flavor.

Note: Beer has different names, as small beer, ale, porter, brown stout, lager beer, according to its strength, or other qualities. See Ale.

2. A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.

Small beer, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. ``To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer.'' --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)