What is "post and stall"

Post \Post\, n. [AS., fr. L. postis, akin to ponere, positum, to place. See Position, and cf. 4th Post.]

1. A piece of timber, metal, or other solid substance, fixed, or to be fixed, firmly in an upright position, especially when intended as a stay or support to something else; a pillar; as, a hitching post; a fence post; the posts of a house.

   They shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the houses.
   --Ex. xii. 7.

   Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders bore, The gates of Azza, post and massy bar.
   --Milton.

   Unto his order he was a noble post.
   --Chaucer.

   Note: Post, in the sense of an upright timber or strut, is used in composition, in such words as king-post, queen-post, crown-post, gatepost, etc.

2. The doorpost of a victualer's shop or inn, on which were chalked the scores of customers; hence, a score; a debt.

   When God sends coin I will discharge your post.
   --S. Rowlands.

   From pillar to post. See under Pillar.

   Knight of the post. See under Knight.

   Post hanger (Mach.), a bearing for a revolving shaft, adapted to be fastened to a post.

   Post hole, a hole in the ground to set the foot of a post in.

   Post mill, a form of windmill so constructed that the whole fabric rests on a vertical axis firmly fastened to the ground, and capable of being turned as the direction of the wind varies.

   Post and stall (Coal Mining), a mode of working in which pillars of coal are left to support the roof of the mine.