† postshipn.1
Obsolete.
The office or post (post n.3) of local postman.In quot. 1606: the office or position of a post or messenger, used humorously, as a mock-title.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > message > [noun] > messenger > office of
messageryc1430
postship1545
heraldry1593
messengership1611
peonage1900
society > communication > correspondence > postal services > person or vehicle that carries letters or mail > [noun] > person > office of
postship1545
1545 in Acts Privy Council (1890) I. 267 A letter to Mr. Mason, Master of the Postes, for the contynuaunce of Adam Gascoyne in the office of the Postship of Scrobye.
1583 in W. Greenwell Wills & Inventories Registry Durham (1860) II. 76 To my wiffe and my sonne Robart the postshippe of Thirlwall, towardes the maintenance of the house.
1606 T. Dekker Newes from Hell sig. F2v At the returne of his post ship, and walking vpon the exchange of the world..they will flutter about him, crying, What newes, what newes?
1692 in J. D. Marwick Rec. Convent. Royal Burghs Scotl. (1880) IV. 606 The postship [rouped] for 300 marks.
1716 Kirkcaldy Burgh Rec. (1908) 237 Allows the treasurer to set the postship to John Orrock, hyrer, as principle, and Edward Harrison, as cautioner.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
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n.11545