postiche

[paw-steesh, po-]

adjective

1. superadded, especially inappropriately, as a sculptural or architectural ornament.

2. artificial, counterfeit, or false.

noun

1. an imitation or substitute.

2. pretense; sham.

3. a false hairpiece.

postiche

/ pɒˈstiːʃ /

adjective

1. (of architectural ornament) inappropriately applied; sham

2. false or artificial; spurious

noun

1. another term for hairpiece

2. an imitation, counterfeit, or substitute

3. anything that is false; sham or pretence

Word History and Origins

Origin of postiche¹

1850–55; < French < Italian apposticcio < Vulgar Latin *appositīcius added to. See apposite, -itious

Word History and Origins

Origin of postiche¹

C19: from French, from Italian apposticcio (n), from Late Latin appositīcius (adj); see _apposite

Example Sentences

Today, polite society most often softens references to wigs with such euphemisms as “hair covering” or “hairpiece,” eschewing the historic terms “toupee” and “postiche.”

From Time

"No," said Lady Catchpole; "anything false which is well made up we call a postiche; it need not be exactly a wig."

From Project Gutenberg

Fastidiousness, at any rate, is very good postiche for modesty: it is always decent, it can never be coarse.

From Project Gutenberg

We have made a great succ�s by means of postiche—there is no denying it.

From Project Gutenberg

Ah, the taunts we shall have to endure when the postiche is discovered, from the rivals that have always been jealous and are still under the prestige of our former charms!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hairpiece