Postillion: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ก๏ธ
postillion
[ pษหstษชl.jษn ]
historical occupation
A postillion is a person who rides the leading horse of a team of horses drawing a carriage, typically used for transporting passengers. This role was more common before the advent of automobiles and is associated with the era of horse-drawn transportation. Postillions would often guide the horses and manage the driving of the carriage.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The postillion wore a distinctive uniform.
- In the past, a postillion would signal when to start the journey.
- During the carriage ride, the postillion skillfully handled the horses.
Translations
Translations of the word "postillion" in other languages:
๐ต๐น carteiro
๐ฎ๐ณ เคกเคพเคเคฟเคฏเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Postillon
๐ฎ๐ฉ pengantar surat
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะพััะฐั
๐ต๐ฑ posลaniec
๐ฏ๐ต ้ตไพฟ้ ้ไบบ
๐ซ๐ท postillon
๐ช๐ธ cartero
๐น๐ท postacฤฑ
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฐํธ ๋ฐฐ๋ฌ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุณุงุนู ุงูุจุฑูุฏ
๐จ๐ฟ poslรญฤek
๐ธ๐ฐ posol
๐จ๐ณ ้ฎ้ๅ
๐ธ๐ฎ poลกtar
๐ฎ๐ธ pรณstmaรฐur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฟะพััะฐัั
๐ฌ๐ช แคแแกแขแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ poรงtaly
๐ฒ๐ฝ cartero
Etymology
The word 'postillion' derives from the French term 'postillon,' which comes from the verb 'postiller,' meaning 'to spur on' or 'to urge forward.' The origins of the profession date back to the 16th and 17th centuries when horse-drawn wagons and carriages became popular for travel and transport. Initially, postillions were employed to accompany mail-coach services, helping to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of messages and passengers. Over time, as the prevalence of the automobile increased in the 20th century, the role of the postillion diminished significantly, but the term remains a part of English vocabulary for referring to this historical occupation.