Part 438

Pos"tu*la`ted (?), a. Assumed without proof; as, a postulated inference. Sir T. Browne.

Pos`tu*la"tion (?), n. [L. postulatio: cf. F. postulation.] The act of postulating, or that which is postulated; assumption; solicitation; suit; cause.

Pos"tu*la*to*ry (?), a. [L. postulatorius.] Of the nature of a postulate. Sir T. Browne.

||Pos`tu*la"tum (?), n.; pl. Postulata (#). [L. See Postulate, n.] A ||postulate. Addison.

Pos"tu*mous (?), a. See Posthumous. [R.]

Pos"tur*al (?; 135), a. Of or pertaining to posture.

Pos"ture (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. positura, fr. ponere, positum, to place. See Position.] 1. The position of the body; the situation or disposition of the several parts of the body with respect to each other, or for a particular purpose; especially (Fine Arts), the position of a figure with regard to the several principal members by which action is expressed; attitude.

Atalanta, the posture of whose limbs was so lively expressed . . . one would have sworn the very picture had run.

Sir P. Sidney.

In most strange postures We have seen him set himself.

Shak.

The posture of a poetic figure is a description of his heroes in the performance of such or such an action.

Dryden.

2. Place; position; situation. [Obs.] Milton.

His [man's] noblest posture and station in this world.

Sir M. Hale.

3. State or condition, whether of external circumstances, or of internal feeling and will; disposition; mood; as, a posture of defense; the posture of affairs.

The several postures of his devout soul.

Atterbury.

Syn. -- Attitude; position. See Attitude.

Pos"ture (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Posturing.] To place in a particular position or attitude; to dispose the parts of, with reference to a particular purpose; as, to posture one's self; to posture a model. Howell.

Pos"ture, v. i. 1. To assume a particular posture or attitude; to contort the body into artificial attitudes, as an acrobat or contortionist; also, to pose.

2. Fig.: To assume a character; as, to posture as a saint.

Pos`tur*er (?), n. One who postures.

||Post*zyg`a*poph"y*sis (?), n.; pl. Postzygapophyses (#). [NL. See ||Post- , and Zygapophysis.] (Anat.) A posterior zygapophysis.

Po"sy (?), n.; pl. Posies (#). [Contr. fr. poesy.] 1. A brief poetical sentiment; hence, any brief sentiment, motto, or legend; especially, one inscribed on a ring. "The posy of a ring." Shak.

2. [Probably so called from the use of flowers as having an enigmatical significance. Wedgwood.] A flower; a bouquet; a nosegay. "Bridegroom's posies." Spenser.

We make a difference between suffering thistles to grow among us, and wearing them for posies.