four-poster
UK[ˌfɔː ˈpəʊstə]US[ˌfɔr ˈpoʊstər]
n
A bed with a tall post at each corner supporting a canopy and often curtains.
Morpheme Breakdown
four
poster
four
number
poster
one that posts/upright support
Etymology
The term is a straightforward compound noun from Modern English, combining the numeral "four" with "poster," an agent noun derived from "post." A "post" originates from Latin postis (meaning doorpost, upright), which entered English via Old French. The compound "four-poster" logically and descriptively denotes a bed characterized by having four such upright posts. This literal construction highlights the bed's most prominent architectural feature, with the meaning evolving directly from the sum of its parts without significant semantic shift.
Analysis
Structure: four (number) + poster (one that posts/upright support)
- four: From Old English 'fēower', meaning the number 4. A numeral root of Proto-Germanic origin, used here to specify quantity.
- poster: From the agent noun 'post' (meaning a pole or upright support) + the agent suffix '-er'. Here, it functions to mean "one that serves as a post" or "upright support."
Examples
The antique four-poster bed dominated the spacious bedroom.
She drew the curtains around the four-poster for a sense of privacy.
Many historic inns feature luxurious four-posters with elaborate canopies.