~ 1
■ noun
1》 a heap of things laid or lying one on top of another.
↘ informal a large amount: the growing ~ of work.
2》 a large imposing building: a Gothic ~.
3》 a series of plates of dissimilar metals laid one on another alternately to produce an electric current.
■ verb
1》 place (things) one on top of the other.
↘( be ~d with ) be stacked or loaded with.
↘( ~ up ) form a ~ or large quantity.
↘( ~ something on ) informal intensify or exaggerate something for effect.
2》 ( ~ into/out of ) get into or out of (a vehicle) in a disorganized manner.
↘( ~ into ) crash into.
Phrases
make a ~ informal make a lot of money.
~ arms Military place a number of rifles with their butts on the ground and the muzzles together.
Origin
ME: from OFr., from L. pila 'pillar, pier'.
————————
~ 2
■ noun
1》 a heavy stake or post driven into the ground to support the foundations of a superstructure.
2》 Heraldry a triangular charge or ordinary formed by two lines meeting at an acute angle, usually pointing down from the top of the shield.
■ verb strengthen or support with ~s.
Derivatives
piling noun
Origin
OE pīl 'dart, arrow', also 'stake', of Gmc origin.
————————
~ 3
■ noun the soft projecting surface of a carpet or a fabric such as velvet, consisting of many small threads.
Origin
ME: from L. pilus 'hair'.