Pillar

Pillar
Pillar Pil"lar, n. [OE. pilerF. pilier, LL. pilare, pilarium, pilarius, fr. L. pila a pillar. See {Pile} a heap.] 1. The general and popular term for a firm, upright, insulated support for a superstructure; a pier, column, or post; also, a column or shaft not supporting a superstructure, as one erected for a monument or an ornament. [1913 Webster]

Jacob set a pillar upon her grave. --Gen. xxxv. 20. [1913 Webster]

The place . . . vast and proud, Supported by a hundred pillars stood. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2. Figuratively, that which resembles such a pillar in appearance, character, or office; a supporter or mainstay; as, the Pillars of Hercules; a pillar of the state. ``You are a well-deserving pillar.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. (R. C. Ch.) A portable ornamental column, formerly carried before a cardinal, as emblematic of his support to the church. [Obs.] --Skelton. [1913 Webster]

4. (Man.) The center of the volta, ring, or manege ground, around which a horse turns. [1913 Webster]

{From pillar to post}, hither and thither; to and fro; from one place or predicament to another; backward and forward. [Colloq.]

{Pillar saint}. See {Stylite}.

{Pillars of the fauces}. See {Fauces}, 1. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • PILLAR — (Heb. עַמּוּד; from the root ʿmd, to stand ), a column that stands perpendicular to the ground and generally serves to support the beams of a roof. In this article no distinction will be made between pillar, column, and post. The pillar is used… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Pillar — Пиллар Основная информация …   Википедия

  • Pillar — steht für Pillar, eine bestimmte Ausführung der Litfaßsäule Geografisches Pillar (Lake District), Berg in England Rock and Pillar Range, Bruchschollengebirge in Neuseeland weiteres Pillar (Band), Band Pillar Car Protector, Kfz Schutzvorrichtung… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • pillar — pillar, column, pilaster denote a structure that rises high from a base or foundation, is slender in comparison with its width, and usually has a monolithic and decorative appearance. Pillar is the general term and applies to any such structure… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • pillar — ► NOUN 1) a tall vertical structure used as a support for a building or as an ornament. 2) a person or thing providing reliable support. ● from pillar to post Cf. ↑from pillar to post DERIVATIVES pillared adjective …   English terms dictionary

  • Pillar — Pil lar, a. (Mach.) Having a support in the form of a pillar, instead of legs; as, a pillar drill. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pillar I — pillar I, pillar II, pillar III See Basel II. American Banker Glossary …   Financial and business terms

  • pillar II — pillar I, pillar II, pillar III See Basel II. American Banker Glossary …   Financial and business terms

  • pillar — (n.) early 13c., from O.Fr. piler, from M.L. pilare, from L. pila pillar, stone barrier. Figurative sense of prop or support of an institution or community is first recorded early 14c. Phrase pillar to post is c.1600, originally of tennis, exact… …   Etymology dictionary

  • pillar — [pil′ər] n. [ME piler < OFr < VL * pilare < L pila, column] 1. a long, slender, vertical structure used to support a superstructure; column 2. such a column standing alone as a monument 3. anything like a pillar in form or function, as a …   English World dictionary

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