impost

¹

[ im-pohst ]

noun

1. a tax; tribute; duty.
2. a customs duty.
3. Horse Racing. the weight assigned to a horse in a race.

verb (used with object)

1. to determine customs duties on, according to the kind of imports.

impost

²

[ im-pohst ]

noun

, Architecture.

1. the point of springing of an arch; spring.
2. an architectural feature immediately beneath this point.

impost

¹

/ ˈɪmpəʊst /

noun

1. architect a member at the top of a wall, pier, or column that supports an arch, esp one that has a projecting moulding

impost

²

/ ˈɪmpəʊst /

noun

1. a tax, esp a customs duty
2. horse racing the specific weight that a particular horse must carry in a handicap race

verb

1. tr to classify (imported goods) according to the duty payable on them

Derived Forms

• ˈimposter, noun

Other Words From

• impost·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impost¹

1560–70; < Medieval Latin impostus a tax, noun use of Latin impostus, variant of impositus imposed; imposition

Origin of impost²

1655–65; < French imposte < Italian imposta < Latin: feminine of impostus (past participle); impost ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of impost¹

C17: from French imposte, from Latin impositus placed upon; see impose

Origin of impost²

C16: from Medieval Latin impostus tax, from Latin impositus imposed; see impose

Example Sentences

Mr. Chamberlain omitted to mention the last-named impost, but no doubt that was his artfulness.

From Project Gutenberg

This type of arcade or window is found in early German work, except that, as a rule, there is a capital under the impost block.

From Project Gutenberg

All that remonstrance could gain was a postponement of the stamp act till some more acceptable form of impost could be devised.

From Project Gutenberg

The impost of extraordinary tithe—the whole system of tithe—again, is doomed when once the country begins to live its new life.

From Project Gutenberg

Akin to the tax that has just been described, at least in its nature as a direct impost, is the poll or capitation tax.

From Project Gutenberg