impost

¹ American  

[im-pohst] / ˈɪm poʊst /

noun

1. a tax; tribute; duty.

2. a customs duty.

3. Horse Racing.  the weight assigned to a horse in a race.

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verb (used with object)

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

impost ² American  

[im-pohst] / ˈɪm poʊst /

noun

Architecture.

1. the point of springing of an arch; spring.

2. an architectural feature immediately beneath this point.

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impost ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

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

impost ² British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• imposter noun

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

“The Senate has the power and responsibility to prevent irreversible legislative changes that, by giving in to localized interests, impost an immense toll on society and jeopardize the country’s future.”

From Seattle Times

Key West is the only place in Florida set to impost a sunscreen ban - an effort to protect reefs that are important to the city’s economy and environment.

From Washington Times

Article I, Section 8 allows Congress to “lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises.”

From Washington Post

In policy matters, he proved obtuse, recommending, in one of his first initiatives, a blanket cancellation of all trade imposts.

From The New Yorker

Constitution empowers Congress to make decisions about “duties, imposts and excises,” and generally to oversee issues related to international trade.

From MSNBC