▪ I. poser1
(ˈpəʊzə(r))
Also 8 pozer.
[Aphetic form of apposer: see pose v.2]
1. One who sets testing questions; an examiner; = apposer 1. Now rare.
| 1587 Harrison England ii. i. (1877) i. 35 When I consider..the profit that ariseth at sundrie elections of scholars..to the posers. a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Norfolk (1662) ii. 258 The University..appointed Doctor Cranmer..to be the Poser-general of all Candidates in Divinity. 1664 Pepys Diary 4 Feb., To Paul's School,..and up to hear the upper form examined;..Dr. Wilkins and one Mr. Smallwood, Posers. 1665 J. Buck in Peacock Stat. Univ. Cambr. (1841) App. B. p. lxv, The Posers Feast was anciently kept upon the Thursday at Night the Examination or Posing was ended. 1702 C. Mather Magn. Chr. iii. i. i. (1852) 254 The Poser trying his Hebrew skill by the third chapter of Isaiah. 1901 Rashdall & Rait New Coll. iii. 44 The term ‘Posers’ is still applied to the two Fellows [of New College] who examine at Winchester. |
2. A question that poses or puzzles; a puzzle.
| 1793 Sheridan in Sheridaniana 147 This was a pozer. 1837 Dickens Pickw. x, With the air of a man who was in the habit of propounding some regular posers. 1894 Law Times XCVII. 387/2 Interrupting the arguments by questions in the nature of posers. |
▪ II. ˈposer2
[f. pose v.1 + -er1: cf. F. poseur.]
One who poses or attitudinizes: see pose v.1 4.
| 1888 Pall Mall G. 24 Dec., Besides the professional posers of the studio there are..the posers of the Row, the posers at afternoon teas, the posers in politics, and the circus posers. |