postern

[ poh-stern, pos-tern ]

noun

1. a back door or gate.
2. a private entrance or any entrance other than the main one.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a postern.

postern

/ ˈpɒstən /

noun

1. a back door or gate, esp one that is for private use

adjective

1. situated at the rear or the side

Word History and Origins

Origin of postern¹

1250–1300; Middle English posterne < Old French, variant of posterle < Late Latin posterula, diminutive of postera back door, noun use of feminine of posterus coming behind. See posterior, -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of postern¹

C13: from Old French posterne, from Late Latin posterula ( jānua ) a back (entrance), from posterus coming behind; see posterior , posterity

Example Sentences

In the centre of the North wall is the opening of the Postern Gate, and there were probably central gates on the east and south.

From Project Gutenberg

While I steal in through a postern, you thunder at one of the great gates: knock and it shall be opened unto you.

From Project Gutenberg

A smaller postern door served the purpose of ordinary entrance; and to that Julian now repaired.

From Project Gutenberg

It was locked, but a little postern in the stockade let him through.

From Project Gutenberg

"That road leads to the postern gate at the top of the hill," she added.

From Project Gutenberg