post

A strong, stiff, vertical structural member or column, usually of wood, stone, or metal, capable of supporting a framing member of the structure above it and/or providing a firm point of lateral attachment. Posts may divide the structural framework of a building into bays. The term post may be preceded by an adjective indicating its location (such as a corner post) or by an adjective indicating its shape (such as a musket-stock post). For definitions and illustrations of specific types of posts, See angle post, chimney post, corner post, crown post, doorpost, flared post, gabled post, gate post, gun-stock post, hanging post, jack post, jamb post, king post, musket-stock post, prick post, principal post, shouldered post, splayed post, sure post, teagle post, wall post.