Definitions for postilion
pos·til·ion

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. postilion, postillionnoun

   someone who rides the near horse of a pair in order to guide the horses pulling a carriage (especially a carriage without a coachman)

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. postilionnoun

   A rider mounted on the near, leading horse pulling a carriage who guides the team.

2. Etymology: From postillon, and its likely source, postiglione, from posta.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Postilionnoun

   Etymology: pastillon, French.

   1. One who guides the first pair of a set of six horses in a coach.

   A young batchelor of arts came to town recommended to a chaplain’s place; but none being vacant, modestly accepted of that of a postilion. Tatler, №. 52.

   2. One who guides a post chaise.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Postilion

   A postilion or postillion is a person who guides a horse-drawn coach or post chaise while mounted on the horse or one of a pair of horses. By contrast, a coachman controls the horses from the vehicle itself. Originally the English name for a guide or forerunner for the post (mail) or a messenger, it became transferred to the actual mail carrier or messenger and also to a person who rides a (hired) post horse. The same persons made themselves available as a less expensive alternative to hiring a coachman, particularly for light, fast vehicles. Postilions draw ceremonial vehicles on occasions of national importance such as state funerals. On the battlefield or on ceremonial occasions postilions have control that a coachman cannot exert.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. postilion

   A postilion is a person who rides the leading left-hand horse of a team or pair drawing a coach or carriage, especially when there is no coachman. This was a common practice in the days before vehicles were motorized. The postilion would control the horses and guide them in the direction they needed to go.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Postilionnoun

   one who rides and guides the first pair of horses of a coach or post chaise; also, one who rides one of the horses when one pair only is used

2. Etymology: [F. postillon, It. postiglione, fr. posta post. See Post a postman.]

WikidataRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Postilion

   A postilion rider was the driver of a horse-drawn coach or post chaise, mounted on one of the drawing horses. By contrast, a coachman would be mounted on the vehicle along with the passengers. Postilion riders normally rode the left horse of a pair because horses usually were trained only to be mounted from the left. With a double team, either there would be two postilions, one for each pair, or one postilion would ride on the left rear horse in order to control all four horses. This style of travel was known as "posting." The postilions and their horses would be hired from a "postmaster" at a "post house." The carriage would travel from one post house to the next, where the postilions and/or horses could be replaced if necessary. Posting was once common both in England and in continental Europe. In England, posting declined once railways became an alternative method of transport, but it remained popular in France and other countries. The United States Army's Old Guard Caisson Platoon also rides postilion, as their predecessors did in the 19th Century, carrying cannons to war. The section sergeant on a separate horse is in charge of the team and there are 6 other horses teamed together, used at Arlington National Cemetery.

Matched Categories

1. • Horseman

How to pronounce postilion?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say postilion in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of postilion in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of postilion in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=postilion
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Postilion
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=postilion
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postilion
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postilion
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=postilion