postern Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small gate in the rear of a fort or castle

WordNet

Pos"tern noun
Etymology
OF. posterne, posterle, F. poterne, fr. L. posterula, fr. posterus coming after. See Posterior.
Definitions
  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.) A subterraneous passage communicating between the parade and the main ditch, or between the ditches and the interior of the outworks. Mahan.
Pos"tern adjective
Definitions
  1. Back; being behind; private. "The postern door." Dryden.

Webster 1913