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Impost vs Impest - What's the difference?

impost | impest |

As a noun impost

is a tax, tariff or duty that is imposed, especially on merchandise or impost can be the top part of a column or pillar that supports an arch.

As a verb impest is

(obsolete|transitive) to afflict with pestilence.

impost

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) impost, from (etyl) impositus, past participle of .

Noun

(en noun)
  • A tax, tariff or duty that is imposed, especially on merchandise.
  • * 2002 , , The Great Nation , Penguin 2003, p. 56:
    • New universal direct taxes had to be introduced [...], while the burden of indirect taxes was also made heavier, with new imposts being levied on an ensemble of items ranging from playing cards to wigs.
  • The top member of a pillar, pier, wall, etc., upon which the weight of an arch rests.
  • (horse racing, slang) The weight that must be carried by a horse in a race, the handicap.

    • See also

    * imposter, impostor, impose

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) imposta, from (etyl) imposta

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The top part of a column or pillar that supports an arch.

    • impest

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To afflict with pestilence.
    • (Webster 1913)