pə̇ˈlastə(r), -laas- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French pilastre, from Italian pilastro, probably modification (influenced by Latin pila pillar & -aster, suffix denoting partial resemblance) of Latin parastata, from Greek parastatēs, literally, one that stands beside, from paristanai to stand beside, from para beside + histanai to stand — more at para- , stand
1. : an upright architectural member that is rectangular in plan and is structurally a pier but architecturally treated as a column, that with capital, shaft, and base usually projects one third of its width or less from the wall, and that may be load-bearing or merely applied as surface decoration
2. : a member in furniture resembling the architectural pilaster but always purely decorative and often elaborately carved
3. : an elongated hardened ridge ; especially : a longitudinal bony ridge on the back of the femur
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