Ĭm’pōst, n.
n. [O. Fr. & Pr. impost, N. Fr. impôt, Sp. & Pg. imposta, from Lat. imponere, impositum. See IMPOSE.]
Sense 1. That which is imposed or levied; a tax, tribute, or duty; often a duty or tax laid by government on goods imported into a country.
Even the ship-money . . . Johnson could not pronounce to have been an unconstitutional impost. Macaulay.
Sense 2. (Arch.) That part of a pillar in vaults and arches on which the weight of the building rests; or the capital of a pillar or cornice which receives an arch. Gwilt.
Synonyms—Tribute; excise; custom; duty.
