pillar
see also: Pillar
Etymology

From Middle English piler, from Old French pilier, from Medieval Latin - or Vulgar Latin *pilāre, from Latin pila.

Pronunciation
  • (America) IPA: /ˈpɪlɚ/
  • (RP) IPA: /ˈpɪlə/
Noun

pillar (plural pillars)

  1. (architecture) A large post, often used as supporting architecture.
  2. Something resembling such a structure.
    a pillar of smoke
  3. (figuratively) An essential part of something that provides support.
    He's a pillar of the community.
  4. (Roman Catholic) A portable ornamental column, formerly carried before a cardinal, as emblematic of his support to the church.
    • a. 1529, John Skelton, a poem:
      two laye-men secular
      eache of theym holdynge a pillar
      In their hondes, steade of a mace
  5. The centre of the volta, ring, or manege ground, around which a horse turns.
  6. (bodybuilding) The body from the hips over the core to the shoulders.
  7. (geology) A vertical, often spire-shaped, natural rock formation.
Synonyms Translations Translations Verb

pillar (pillars, present participle pillaring; simple past and past participle pillared)

  1. To provide with pillars or added strength as if from pillars.

Pillar
Proper noun
  1. Surname.



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