pillar

pillar
pil|lar [ˈpılə US -ər] n
[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: piler, from Latin pila]
1.)
a) a tall upright round post used as a support for a roof or bridge
Eight massive stone pillars supported the roof.
b) a tall upright round post, usually made of stone, put up to remind people of an important person or event
2.) pillar of society/the community/the church etc
somebody who is an important and respected member of a group, and is involved in many public activities
Mr Fitzwilliam had been seen as a pillar of the community.
3.) a very important part of a system of beliefs or ideas
pillar of
One of the pillars of a civilized society must be that everyone has equal access to the legal system.
4.) be driven/pushed from pillar to post
to have to go from one person or situation to another without achieving much or being able to settle
The poor kid has been pushed from pillar to post.
5.) be a pillar of strength
if someone is a pillar of strength, they are there to give you help and support at a difficult time
Christine's been a pillar of strength to me.
6.) pillar of dust/smoke/flame etc
a tall upright mass of dust, smoke, flame etc

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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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 — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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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