ˈpɪlə n. 1 a a usu.
slender vertical structure of
wood,
metal, or
esp.
stone used as a
support for a
roof etc. b a
similar structure used for
ornament. c a post supporting a structure. 2 a
person regarded as a
mainstay or support (a pillar of
the faith; a pillar of strength). 3 an
upright mass of
air,
water, rock, etc. (pillar of salt). 4 a
solid mass of
coal etc. left to support the roof of a mine. øfrom pillar to post (driven etc.)
from one place to
another; to
and fro. pillar-box
Brit. a
public postbox shaped like a pillar. pillar-box
red a
bright red
colour, as of pillar-boxes. Pillars of
Hercules 1
two rocks on
either side of the
Strait of Gibraltar. 2 the
ultimate limit. øøpillared adj. pillaret n. [ME & AF piler, OF pilier ult. f. L pila pillar]