posterns

Noun

postern (plural posterns)

1. (also, attributive) A back door or gate, side entrance, or other entrance distinct from the main one, especially one that is private or not obvious.
   • Euery houſe hath two doores, one into the ſtrete and a poſternne doore on the backſyde into the gardyne.1551, Thomas More, “The Second Boke of the Communycacion of Raphael Hythlodaye, Concernynge the Best State of a Commen Wealthe: Cõteynyng the Discription of Utopia, with a Large Declaration of the...
   1. (also, attributive) A hidden or secret exit or tunnel of a fortification such as a castle, city wall, or fort.
      • [I]f ſhe vvould repair, on the follovving night, vvhen the Signor vvas retired to reſt, to the poſtern-gate of the caſtle, ſhe ſhould, perhaps, ſee Madame Montoni.1794 May 8, Ann Radcliffe, chapter XII, in The Mysteries of Udolpho, a Romance; […], volume II, London: […] G. G. and J. Robinson, […], →OCLC, page 472
   2. (also, attributive, broadly) Any way in or out of a place, especially a hidden one; an entrance or exit.
      • It is as hard to come, as for a Cammell / To threed the poſterne of a ſmall needles eie: […]1595 December 9 (first known performance), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedie of King Richard the Second. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, […], published 1597...
   3. (also, attributive, historical) An underground passage communicating between a main ditch and a parade, or between the ditches and the interior of the outworks.
      • The postern of the enceinte leads through the middle of the curtain, descending from the plane of sight to the ditch.1850, D[ennis] H[art] Mahan, “Description and Analysis of the Bastioned Front Applied to a Horizontal Site”, in Summary of the Course of Permanent Fortification and of the Attack and Defence of...
2. (archaic, figuratively) A means of escape; an escape route.
   • The motive of all dangers that ever this Monarchy hath undergone, ſhould be carefully heeded, for this Maxime hath no poſterne: Poteſtas humana radicatur in voluntatibus hominum [human power is rooted in the will of men].a. 1619 (date written), Walter Raleigh, “The Prerogative of Parliaments in England. Proved in a Dialogue between a Councellour of State, and a Justice of Peace. […]”, in Remains of Sir Walter...
3. (archaic, figuratively) A dishonourable or unconventional means of doing something.
   • Near-synonym: back door

   Synonyms:

   back door

See all 11 meanings of postern