Impost

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɪmpəʊst/

From Middle French impost, from Latin impositus, past participle of impōnere ("to impose").

Full definition of impost

Noun

1. (chiefly historical) A tax, tariff or duty that is imposed, especially on merchandise.
• 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 56:New universal direct taxes had to be introduced ..., while the burden of indirect taxes was also made heavier, with new imposts being levied on an ensemble of items ranging from playing cards to wigs.
2. The top member of a pillar, pier, wall, etc., upon which the weight of an arch rests.
3. (horse racing, slang) The weight that must be carried by a horse in a race, the handicap.

From Italian imposta, from Latin imposta

Noun

1. The top part of a column or pillar that supports an arch.