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Webster 1913 Edition
Impost
Im′post
,Noun.
1.
That which is imposed or levied; a tax, tribute, or duty; especially, a duty or tax laid by goverment on goods imported into a country.
Even the ship money . . . Johnson could not pronounce to have been an unconstitutional
impost
. Macaulay.
2.
(Arch.)
The top member of a pillar, pier, wall, etc., upon which the weight of an arch rests.
Syn. – Tribute; excise; custom; duty; tax.
Webster 1828 Edition
Impost
IM'POST
,Noun.
1.
Any tax or tribute imposed by authority; particularly, a duty or tax laid by government on goods imported, and paid or secured by the importer at the time of importation. Imposts are also called customs.2.
In architecture, that part of a pillar in vaults and arches, on which the weight of the building rests; or the capital of a pillar, or cornice which crowns the pier and supports the first stone or part of an arch.