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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

One of the four standards that support a bedstead or the canopy over a bedstead.

Anciently, a post or pin on each side of the bed to keep the clothes from falling off. See

Brewer.

Noun.

[bed and post.] The post of a bedstead.

bedpost ‎(plural bedposts)

Any of the four upright supports of a bedstead.
(obsolete) A post or pin on each side of the bed to keep the bedclothes from falling off; a bedstaff.
(Can we find and add a quotation of Brewer to this entry?)

any of the four upright supports of a bedstead