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.
Phrases and idioms:
from 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.
Derivatives:
pillared adj. pillaret n.
Etymology: ME & AF piler, OF pilier ult. f. L pila pillar