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.

---

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

---

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

They left through a postern gate in the north wall.

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

The guardsmen left their mounts out-side the walls and escorted her through a narrow postern door, then up endless steps to a tower.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

"Y'Grace," he said quietly, "the boys caught a groom and two maidservants trying to sneak out a postern with three of the king's horses."

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