postern

About 0.11 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun A back door or gate, side entrance, or other entrance distinct from the main one, especially one that is private or not obvious. A hidden or secret exit or tunnel of a fortification such as a castle, city wall, or fort. Any way in or out of a place, especially a hidden one; an entrance or exit. An underground passage communicating between a main ditch and a parade, or between the ditches and the interior of the outworks.
2. noun A hidden or secret exit or tunnel of a fortification such as a castle, city wall, or fort.
3. noun Any way in or out of a place, especially a hidden one; an entrance or exit.
4. noun An underground passage communicating between a main ditch and a parade, or between the ditches and the interior of the outworks.
5. noun A means of escape; an escape route. A dishonourable or unconventional means of doing something.
6. noun A means of escape; an escape route.
7. noun A dishonourable or unconventional means of doing something.
8. noun The back or rear part of a thing.

Similar words

door back gate back door side entrance gate sidepost portal entry threshold entrance

Often followed by

gate door of in and gates to was on

Word family

posterns