POST, an office or employment. This use of the word is probably derived immediately from the idea of a military station; a post being used to express such offices or employments as are supposed either to expose the holder to attack and opposition, or to require abilities and exertion to fill them. Hence the term is used only for public offices, and employments under the government; and were strict propriety of speech always attended to, posts would denote those stations only in which duty must be performed. In common language, however, every public office or appointment, even though nominal and sinecure, goes under the name of a post.