Definition of "posticum" []

• A back door; a postern. (noun)
• The term used by Vitruvius, and adopted from him in English, for the open vestibule of an ancient temple in the rear of the cella, corresponding to the pronaos at the front of the temple. (noun)
• Eccles., a reredos. (noun)
• [pl. postica (-kä).] In Rauff's terminology of sponge morphology, the cloacal openings of the exhalant canals or aporrhysa. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "On the right hand of the peristyle, near the entrance, is a private door, or _posticum_, leading into the Street of the Theatres, by which the master of the house might escape his importunate clients."
• "_ Obscure viridis (mas) aut niger (foem.), facie pectoreque albidis, antennis piceis, abdomine nigro-cupreo basi obscure testaceo, pedibus anterioribus tibiisque posticis basi obscure testaceis, pedibus posticis nigris, alis nigricantibus apud marginem posticum pallidioribus, halteribus testaceis."
• "_ Atra, nitens, brevissima, latissima; capite transverso, subruguloso; thorace scitissime punctato; abdomine cyaneo; tarsis flavis; alis nigris albido punctatis apud marginem posticum obscure cinereis."