postern

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a back, side, or private entrance, especially a small gate in a fortification

   The servant admitted them through a postern in the castle wall.

2. 2
   noun

   a hidden or indirect way into or out of a place or situation

   The obscure clause provided a legal postern around the restriction.

From Middle English posterne, through Anglo-French from Late Latin posterula, 'small back door,' a diminutive related to Latin posterus, 'coming after or behind.'

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