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pillar

/ˈpɪlə/ noun

In Latin: columna Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pillar at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A large post, often used as supporting architecture.
  2. Something resembling such a structure.
    a pillar of smoke
  3. An essential part of something that provides support.
    He's a pillar of the community.

verb

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

Origin

From Middle English piler, from Old French pilier, from Medieval Latin or Vulgar Latin *pilāre (“a pillar”), from Latin pila (“a pillar, pier, mole”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)