impost

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɪmpəʊst/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɪmpoʊst/
• Rhymes: -əʊst

From Middle French impost, from Latin impōsitus, past participle of impōnō (“I impose”).

impost (plural imposts)

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. (horse racing, slang) The weight that must be carried by a horse in a race, the handicap.

• imposter, impostor, impose

From Italian imposta, from Latin imposta

impost (plural imposts)

1. The top part of a column, pillar, pier, wall, etc. that supports an arch.

From Vulgar Latin *impōsitum.

impost m (plural imposts or impostos)

1. tax