postilion — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A rider mounted on the near (left) leading horse who guides the team pulling a carriage.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   C’est un garcon de bonne fortune, said the landlord, pointing through the window to half a dozen wenches who had got round about La Fleur, and were most kindly taking their leave of him, as the postilion was leading out the horses.

   The postilion seized one of his fat horses by the tail, and swung himself up to his seat again.

   And now the carriage had fairly left the village; yet the postilions slackened their speed, and drew up gradually before a line of almshouses, […]

   More examples (3)

   The rain drove into the bride and bridegroom's faces as they passed to the chariot. The postilions' favours draggled on their dripping jackets.

   To play the postilion is not an easy thing. It is a trade by itself—half a gunner's and half a groom's. It has to do with horses—that is bad enough ; but also it involves some knowledge of the road.

   A very spirited affair it looked with its red body and yellow wheels, bouncing about on its high C springs [...] with its four horses going full stretch and two postilions in knee-cords and top-boots laying into the horses in a lather of dust and excitement.

2. A post-boy, a messenger boy, a swift letter carrier.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Noun

1. someone who rides the near horse of a pair in order to guide the horses pulling a carriage (especially a carriage without a coachman)

   Synonyms

   postillion

   Broader terms

   equestrianhorseback rider