postilion

American  

[poh-stil-yuhn, po-] / poʊˈstɪl yən, pɒ- /

especially British, postillion

noun

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

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postilion British  

/ pɒˈstɪljən /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• postilioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of postilion

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

Example Sentences

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

From Seattle Times

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

From BBC

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

From Washington Post

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg