IMPOST

springer, impost

(noun) the lowest stone in an arch -- from which it springs

customs, customs duty, custom, impost

(noun) money collected under a tariff

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

impost (plural imposts)

(chiefly historical) A tax, tariff or duty that is imposed, especially on merchandise.

(horse racing, slang) The weight that must be carried by a horse in a race, the handicap.

Etymology 2

Noun

impost (plural imposts)

The top part of a column, pillar, pier, wall, etc. that supports an arch.

Source: Wiktionary


Im"post, n. Etym: [OF. impost, F. impot, LL. impostus, fr. L. impostus, p. p. of imponere to impose. See Impone.]

1. That which is imposed or levied; a tax, tribute, or duty; especially, a duty or tax laid by goverment on goods imported into a country. Even the ship money . . . Johnson could not pronounce to have been an unconstitutional impost. Macaulay.

2. (Arch.)

Definition: The top member of a pillar, pier, wall, etc., upon which the weight of an arch rests.

Note: The impost is called continuous, if the moldings of the arch or architrave run down the jamb or pier without a break.

Syn.

– Tribute; excise; custom; duty; tax.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

5 May 2025

UNEXPLOITED

(adjective) not developed, improved, exploited or used; “vast unexploited (or undeveloped) natural resources”; “taxes on undeveloped lots are low”


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Coffee Trivia

According to Guinness World Records, the largest coffee shop is the Al Masaa Café, which has 1,050 seats. The coffee shop was inaugurated in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 13 August 2014.

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