I. (ˈ)pō|stirēə(r), (ˈ)pä|-, -|stēr- adjective
Etymology: Latin, compar. of posterus next, following, coming after, from post after — more at post-
1.
a. : after in time : subsequent
b. : logically consequent
2.
a. : situated toward the back : after in place — opposed to anterior
b. : adaxial — compare anterior
c.
(1) : situated at or toward the hinder end of the body : caudal
(2) : dorsal — used of human anatomy in which the upright posture makes dorsal and caudal identical
• pos·te·r·ior·ly adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1. posteriors plural , archaic : descendants
neither he, nor his posteriors from generation to generation, shall sit upon it — Sir Walter Scott
2. : a posterior thing or part: as
a. : the rear end of a quadruped
b. : buttocks
smacked him on his posterior and sent him out to play
— often used in plural
when she laughed, which was often, her posteriors gave a just-perceptible upward leap — Robertson Davies