postern

American  

[poh-stern, pos-tern] / ˈpoʊ stərn, ˈpɒs tərn /

noun

1. a back door or gate.

2. a private entrance or any entrance other than the main one.

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adjective

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

postern British  

/ ˈpɒstən /

noun

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

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adjective

1. situated at the rear or the side

Etymology

Origin of postern

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

Example Sentences

But most of them opened their postern gates and let Mr. Jones come in with the money he was determined to inject into them.

From Time Magazine Archive

Upon being prompted, however, he went on: "Behind shut the postern, the lights sank to rest."

From Time Magazine Archive

Koss went out the postern gate and brought the goose back, and two chickens as well, and Yoren allowed a cookfire.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

The gates of the New Castle had been closed, but a postern opened when he shouted, and a guard emerged to ask his business.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

He saw three gates during his wanderings—the main entrance with its gatehouse, a postern by the kennels, and a garden gate hidden behind a tangle of pale ivy.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin