† ˈpost-stage Obs.
[f. post n.2 + stage n.]
1. In 17th c., A stopping-place, station, or ‘stage’ on a post-road, to which the king's packet or mail was carried from the previous ‘stage’ and whence it was forwarded to the next; post-horses being kept in readiness for thus carrying the mail, and for the use of ‘thorough-posts’ or express messengers, as also for the service of private persons travelling ‘post’, who there took fresh horses.
| 1642 Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. ii. VII. 327 [Order] for establishing post stages betuix Edinburgh and Portpatrik and Portpatrik and Carlill. 1685 Royal Proclam. 7 Sept. in Lond. Gaz. No. 2068/1 Not to Carry any Ship Letters..beyond the first Post-stage to which they shall arrive in England. 1695 Ibid. No. 3087/4 An Act for settling Post-Stages throughout this Kingdom. |
2. Short for post stage-coach: a mail-coach.
| 1771 Boston Gaz. 18 Feb. 3/3 The Post-stage from and to Portsmouth in New-Hampshire, lately put up at the Sign of the Admiral Vernon in King-street, Boston, is now removed to Mrs. Bean's at the Sign of the Ship on Launch. |