postern
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Postern — Pos tern, n. [OF. posterne, posterle, F. poterne, fr. L. posterula, fr. posterus coming after. See {Posterior}.] 1. Originally, a back door or gate; a private entrance; hence, any small door or gate. [1913 Webster] He by a privy postern took his… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
postern — [pōs′tərn, päs′tərn] n. [ME < OFr posterne, altered < posterle < LL posterula, a small back door, postern, dim. < posterus: see POSTERIOR] a back door or gate; private entrance at the side or rear adj. of or resembling a postern, as… … English World dictionary
Postern — Pos tern, a. Back; being behind; private. The postern door. Dryden. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
postern — late 13c., back door, private door, from O.Fr. posterne, earlier posterle, from L.L. posterula small back door or gate, dim. of L. posterus that is behind, coming after, subsequent, from post after … Etymology dictionary
postern — gate, *door, gateway, doorway, portal … New Dictionary of Synonyms
postern — ► NOUN ▪ a back or side entrance. ORIGIN Old French posterne, from Latin posterus following … English terms dictionary
Postern — A postern is a secondary door or gate, particularly in a fortification such as a city wall or castle curtain wall. Posterns were often located in a concealed location, allowing the occupants to come and go inconspicuously. In the event of a siege … Wikipedia
Postern — Murage of the City arising out of Candelwykestrete from the house of Fulk de St. Edmund as far as the postern, 1 Ed. II. (Cal. L. Bk. C. p.162). This postern would seem not to have been one of those in the City wall … Dictionary of London
postern — noun Etymology: Middle English posterne, from Anglo French, alteration of Old French posterle, from Late Latin posterula, diminutive of postera back door, from Latin, feminine of posterus Date: 14th century 1. a back door or gate 2. a private or… … New Collegiate Dictionary
postern — /poh steuhrn, pos teuhrn/, n. 1. a back door or gate. 2. a private entrance or any entrance other than the main one. adj. 3. of, pertaining to, or resembling a postern. [1250 1300; ME posterne < OF, var. of posterle < LL posterula, dim. of… … Universalium
