n.
Pronunciation: ' p ī (- ə )l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, dart, quill, pole driven into the ground, from Old English p ī l, from Latin pilum javelin
Date: 12th century
1 : a long slender column usually of timber, steel, or reinforced concrete driven into the ground to carry a vertical load
2 : a wedge-shaped heraldic charge usually placed vertically with the broad end up
3 a : a target-shooting arrowhead without cutting edges b [Latin pilum ] : an ancient Roman foot soldier's heavy javelin