postilion

especially British, pos·til·lion

[poh-stil-yuhn, po-]

noun

1. a person who rides the left horse of the leading or only pair of horses drawing a carriage.

postilion

/ pɒˈstɪljən /

noun

1. a person who rides the near horse of the leaders in order to guide a team of horses drawing a coach

Other Word Forms

• postilioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of postilion¹

1580–90; earlier postillon < Middle French < Italian postiglione, derivative of posta post ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of postilion¹

C16: from French postillon, from Italian postiglione, from posta _post ³

Example Sentences

He helped stabilize a postilion of need as a platoon designated hitter.

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It weighs four tonnes and is pulled at walking pace by eight grey horses, with a mounted rider or postilion for each pair.

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They worked and traveled most closely with our nation’s first First Family as chamber maids, postilions, cooks, waiters, laborers, seamstresses and valets.

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A stranger is surprised at the number of dashing equipages, with postilions and servants in liveries, furnished by this foreign city.

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"Drive on, sir," said Miss Dinah to the postilion, "and pull up at the stone cross."

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