Category:Postern

Pos"tern, n. Etym: [of. posterne, posterle, f. poterne, fr. L. Posterula, fr. posterus coming after. See posterior.]

1. Originally, a back door or gate; a private entrance; hence, any Small door or gate. He by a privy postern took his flight. Spenser. Out at the postern, by the abbey wall. Shak.

2. (fort.)

Defn: a subterraneous passage communicating between the parade and The main ditch, or between the ditches and the interior of the Outworks. Mahan.

Postern Pos"tern, a.

Defn: back; being behind; private. "the postern door." Dryden.