pon-, posit-, pos-, -poning, -poned, -ponency, -ponent, -ponement, -pound

1. The amount of money that is paid for the delivery of written correspondence: Sally put the right postage on the airmail letters before putting them into the mailbox.

The clerk told Grace how much postage (stamps or labels) she would need in order to mail her packages.

2. Etymology: from Middle French poste, "place where one is stationed" also, "station for post horses" referring to riders and horses posted at intervals along a route to speed mail delivery in relays, from Italian posto, "post, station"; from Vulgar Latin postum, from Latin positum, past participle of ponere, "to place, to put".

A reference to stamps or printed marks attached to mail to show that payment has been made for delivery of such items: Susan purchased more postage stamps to put on the letters that she was sending to her friends.

Sam still likes to keep more postage stamps for his extensive collection.

Relating to or a reference to a mail delivery system: The postal service in Jane's community has been reduced in order to cut down on expenses.

The postal service is dedicated to ensuring that all mail is delivered to their proper addresses.

Printed pictures usually consisting of reproductions of photographs or artworks that are placed on walls, billboards, or other public places: Posters advertising a special musical concert were put in several places around town.

More posters showing various political candidates are being placed throughout the district.

The posters were attached to many of the lamp posts in the city.

Tim and Jack put up a lot of posters that were advertising the new circus that was coming to town the following month.

Poster Samples

A person who, more often in the past, rode on one of a team of horses that were pulling a coach: The postilion usually rode on one of the two or more steeds that were drawing a carriage in order to guide them; especially, when the four-wheeled coach didn't have a coachman.

One day, Brenda and Cindy saw the postilion in his colorful uniform with brass buttons as he was riding one of the mounts and guiding all of the equines (horses) that were hauling the coach.

1. The person who is in charge of an independent agency that is responsible for the delivery of correspondence to people and to businesses: The postmaster is accountable for making sure that mail personnel arrange for the delivery of letters and packages, and that they are actually taken to those who are supposed to receive them.
2. The person responsible for the maintenance of a website and for being the contact point for information and complaints: Brad and his wife Alice were the postmasters for several websites and responded to incoming mail promptly.
3. A computer e-mail program that distributes, forwards, and receives electronic mail: The computer had an efficient program to function as the postmaster of the electronic messages and services it was providing.

A woman who is in charge of a mail delivery service establishment: Pam's sister worked as the postmistress in the post office in her small town.

A reference to something that is delayed until a later date or time: Ray, the chairman of the project, declared that the meeting was postponable, and as such, they would meet again in two weeks.

1. Deciding that something will not be done when it was originally planned; however, it is intended to be accomplished at a later time: "Would you mind if we postpone the appointment until tomorrow?"

Repairs of the electrical-power lines that were damaged by the big snowstorm have been postponed for days because of the severe weather conditions.

Mr. Jenkins, the supermarket's owner, is postponing the grand opening of the store until the following Saturday.

Because of the heavy rain, the baseball game was postponed until Tuesday.

2. Etymology: from Latin postponere, "to put after, to neglect" from post "after" + ponere, "to put, to place".

A decision in which something had been planned to take place at a particular time, but will be done in the future: Hans and Holly announced a postponement of their wedding because of illness.

Christopher told his children, and grandchildren, that there would be no further postponements of his birthday party.

Anyone who delays taking care of something or doing promised or necessary work: A postponer, like Tim, usually puts off something that needs to be done; often, because of laziness or some kind of habitual carelessness.

Postponers are procrastinators who delay doing work, chores, homework, or assignments until some other time; if at all.

Being placed behind or after something else: Greg's postposition in the parade as the drummer was behind the high school band.

Descriptive of the way an individual places his or her body: Madeline practiced her postural exercises every day to help overcome the bad postural habits she had developed in her youth.

1. The way in which a person arranges his or her body when standing or sitting: The postures of people involve the positions in which their bodies appear when they remain upright, seated, kneeling, or when they are lying down.

Some people, including Jack and Jill, need to be reminded to maintain good postures and not slouch in their seats while working on their computers.

2. The mental attitude that a person has about a subject or the thought that an individual assumes: Grace's posture on the idea of climate change was well-known.
3. A particular way of dealing with or considering something: The company representatives adopted a more militant posture in the wage negotiations with the unions. © ALL rights are reserved.

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1. Acting in an exaggerated or fanciful manner: As a teacher, sometimes Mr. Hanks postured in front of his class as a way to get the attention of the students.
2. The process of arranging or positioning one's body: The model postured herself as she was directed by the artist.
3. To take or to assume an unusual attitude: The professor was posturing on the notion of free speech in order to challenge her students.
4. To behave in a way which is intended to impress or to mislead other people: Adam usually postures his anger by pretending to be content with what is going on at work even when it upsets him.