postern noun & adjective. ['pɒst(ǝ)n, 'pǝʊst-] ME.
[Old French pasterne (mod. poterne) alt. of posterle from late Latin posterula dim. of posterus: see POSTERIOR.]
A. noun.
1. A back door; a door or gate distinct from the main entrance; a side way or entrance. ME.
■ J. R. Green She escaped in white robes by a postern.
b. fig. A way of escape. Also, a back-door or underhand means of entry. Now rare. L16.
■ Sir T. Browne So closely shut up..as not to find some escape by a postern of resipiscency.

2. The latter or hinder part; the buttocks. rare. E17-E18.
b. attrib. or as adjective. Of a gate, door, etc.: placed at the back or side, secondary, lesser. LME.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲