poste restante

[pohst re-stahnt, res-tahnt, pawst res-tahnt]

noun

1. a direction written on mail to indicate that it should be held at the post office until called for by the addressee.

2. Chiefly British.,  a department in charge of such mail.

poste restante

/ ˈpəʊst rɪˈstænt, pɔst rɛstɑ̃t /

noun

1. (not in the US and Canada) an address on mail indicating that it should be kept at a specified post office until collected by the addressee

2. the mail-delivery service or post-office department that handles mail having this address

Word History and Origins

Origin of poste restante¹

1760–70; < French: literally, standing post

Word History and Origins

Origin of poste restante¹

French, literally: mail remaining

Example Sentences

I shall be at Munich on Friday, and have written to Hallam Tennyson, poste restante; but I hope to waylay them at the station.

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She gave him several louis-d'or to supply his immediate wants, and told him to write a letter containing news of himself every week, addressed to the initial B., poste restante.

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But before that I must hear from you,—one word of love, of forgiveness, of hope, addressed to 'Baroness Magelone of Erlenbusch, poste restante, Paris.'

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A line will find me at Venice, poste restante, all September.

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The doctor inquired at the poste restante in vain.

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