postilion

noun

pos·​til·​ion pō-ˈstil-yən How to pronounce postilion (audio)
pə-
variants or postillion
: one who rides as a guide on the near horse of one of the pairs attached to a coach or post chaise especially without a coachman

Word History

Etymology

Middle French postillon mail carrier using post-horses, from Italian postiglione, from posta post — more at post entry 3

First Known Use

circa 1640, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of postilion was circa 1640

Dictionary Entries Near postilion

postil

postilion

postimpact

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Postilion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postilion. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

postilion

noun
pos·​til·​ion
variants or postillion
pō-ˈstil-yən How to pronounce postilion (audio)
pə-
: a person who rides as a guide on the left-hand horse of a pair drawing a coach
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