From pillar to post

From pillar to post
Post Post, n. [AS., fr. L. postis, akin to ponere, positum, to place. See {Position}, and cf. 4th {Post}.] 1. A piece of timber, metal, or other solid substance, fixed, or to be fixed, firmly in an upright position, especially when intended as a stay or support to something else; a pillar; as, a hitching post; a fence post; the posts of a house. [1913 Webster]

They shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the houses. --Ex. xii. 7. [1913 Webster]

Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders bore, The gates of Azza, post and massy bar. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Unto his order he was a noble post. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Note: Post, in the sense of an upright timber or strut, is used in composition, in such words as king-post, queen-post, crown-post, gatepost, etc. [1913 Webster]

2. The doorpost of a victualer's shop or inn, on which were chalked the scores of customers; hence, a score; a debt. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

When God sends coin I will discharge your post. --S. Rowlands. [1913 Webster]

{From pillar to post}. See under {Pillar}.

{Knight of the post}. See under {Knight}.

{Post hanger} (Mach.), a bearing for a revolving shaft, adapted to be fastened to a post.

{Post hole}, a hole in the ground to set the foot of a post in.

{Post mill}, a form of windmill so constructed that the whole fabric rests on a vertical axis firmly fastened to the ground, and capable of being turned as the direction of the wind varies.

{Post and stall} (Coal Mining), a mode of working in which pillars of coal are left to support the roof of the mine. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • from pillar to post — {adv. phr.} From one place to another many times. * /Sarah s father changed jobs several times a year, and the family was moved from pillar to post./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • from pillar to post — {adv. phr.} From one place to another many times. * /Sarah s father changed jobs several times a year, and the family was moved from pillar to post./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • From pillar to post — Pillar Pil lar, n. [OE. pilerF. pilier, LL. pilare, pilarium, pilarius, fr. L. pila a pillar. See {Pile} a heap.] 1. The general and popular term for a firm, upright, insulated support for a superstructure; a pier, column, or post; also, a column …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • from pillar to post — If something is going from pillar to post, it is moving around in a meaningless way, from one disaster to another …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • from pillar to post — ► from pillar to post from one place to another in an unsatisfactory manner. Main Entry: ↑pillar …   English terms dictionary

  • from pillar to post — from one problem to another    After getting fired, he went from pillar to post more bad luck …   English idioms

  • from pillar to post — adverb from one place or situation to another (Freq. 1) we were driven from pillar to post • Syn: ↑hither and thither * * * phrasal : from one place or one situation to another : hither and thither the libr …   Useful english dictionary

  • from pillar to post — British & Australian if someone goes from pillar to post, they are forced to keep moving from one place to another. After his mother died, Billy was passed from pillar to post and ended up in a children s home …   New idioms dictionary

  • from\ pillar\ to\ post — adv. phr. From one place to another many times. Sarah s father changed jobs several times a year, and the family was moved from pillar to post …   Словарь американских идиом

  • from pillar to post —    If something is going from pillar to post, it is moving around in a meaningless way, from one disaster to another.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

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