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



RESET




Word of the Day

17 June 2025

RECREANT

(adjective) having deserted a cause or principle; “some provinces had proved recreant”; “renegade supporters of the usurper”


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Coffee Trivia

Espresso is both a coffee beverage and a brewing method that originated in Italy. When making an espresso, a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure forces through finely-ground coffee beans. It has more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages. Its smaller serving size will take three shots to equal a mug of standard brewed coffee.

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