▪ I. † postel1 Obs.
Also 2–4 postle, 7 postil.
[a. OF. postel (1160–74 in Godef. Compl.), mod.F. poteau post, dim. of OF. post: see post n.1 and -el2.]
A door-post, gate-post.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 127 Þa postles and þet ouerslaht of ure huse. c 1205 Lay. 1316 Þa comen heo to þan bunnen þa Hercules makede mid muchele his strengðe þat weoren postles longe of marmon stane stronge. a 1300 Cursor M. 14980 Bunden þat þai soght þis ass Þai fand bi a postel. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xvi. 54 Þe powere of þis postes [MS. C. postles]. a 1631 Donne Serm. cvii. (ed. Alford) IV. 459 The Blood of that Lamb is not sprinkled upon the Postils of that door. |
▪ II. † postel2 Obs. rare.
[ad. OF. posterle, potelle (1355, 1419 in Godef. Compl.):—late L. posterula postern.]
A postern or small gate.
| c 1400 Cursor M. 7675 (Cott.) Bot micol vte bi night him lete, Vte at a priue dern postel [Gött. & Trin. posterne]. |