Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

postiche

[paw-steesh, po-]
See more synonyms for postiche on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. superadded, especially inappropriately, as a sculptural or architectural ornament.
  2. artificial, counterfeit, or false.
Show More
noun
  1. an imitation or substitute.
  2. pretense; sham.
  3. a false hairpiece.
Show More

Origin of postiche

1850–55; < French < Italian apposticcio < Vulgar Latin *appositīcius added to. See apposite, -itious
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

hairpiecetoupeerugperiwigperukepostiche

Examples from the Web for postiche

Historical Examples

  • We have made a great succs by means of postiche—there is no denying it.

    Piccadilly

    Laurence Oliphant

British Dictionary definitions for postiche

postiche

adjective
  1. (of architectural ornament) inappropriately applied; sham
  2. false or artificial; spurious
Show More
noun
  1. another term for hairpiece (def. 2)
  2. an imitation, counterfeit, or substitute
  3. anything that is false; sham or pretence
Show More

Word Origin

C19: from French, from Italian apposticcio (n), from Late Latin appositīcius (adj); see apposite
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012