welcomer

Noun

welcomer (plural welcomers)

1. Something which or someone who welcomes people, especially newcomers.
   • At this Point of Time my Host, as I may call my sage Welcomer, directed a Kind of Procession, which tho’ not grand, nor very regular, appeared to be calculated as a high Compliment to me […]1764, Sir Humphrey Lunatic (pseudonym of Francis Gentleman), A Trip to the Moon, London: S. Crowder, 2nd edition, 1765, Volume I, Chapter 2, p. 21
   • On their arrival the station was lively with straw-hatted young men, welcoming young girls who bore a remarkable family likeness to their welcomers, and who were dressed up in the brightest and lightest of raiment.1895, Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure, Part Six, Chapter 1
2. Something or someone that greets or is present for the arrival of something.
   • Farewell, thou woful welcomer of glory!c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
   • Bloodroot in the leafless wood, Companion of gray Solitude, When the birds begin to sing, Thou, frail welcomer of Spring, Dost thy whitcray'd star unfold, With its seedheart of green'gold, And remindest us how Faith Blooms victorious over Death.1915, Paul Shivell, Stillwater Pastorals: And Other Poems, page 25