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Webster 1913 Edition

Pillar

Pil′lar

,
Noun.
[OE.
piler
F.
pilier
, LL.
pilare
,
pilarium
,
pilarius
, fr. L.
pila
a pillar. See
Pile
a heap.]
1.
The general and popular term for a firm, upright, insulated support for a superstructure; a pier, column, or post; also, a column or shaft not supporting a superstructure, as one erected for a monument or an ornament.
Jacob set a
pillar
upon her grave.
Gen. xxxv. 20.
The place . . . vast and proud,
Supported by a hundred
pillars
stood.
Dryden.
2.
Figuratively, that which resembles such a pillar in appearance, character, or office; a supporter or mainstay;
as, the
Pillars
of Hercules; a
pillar
of the state.
“You are a well-deserving pillar.”
Shak.
By day a cloud, by night a
pillar
of fire.
Milton.
3.
(R. C. Ch.)
A portable ornamental column, formerly carried before a cardinal, as emblematic of his support to the church.
[Obs.]
Skelton.
4.
(Man.)
The center of the volta, ring, or manege ground, around which a horse turns.
From pillar to post
,
hither and thither; to and fro; from one place or predicament to another; backward and forward.
[Colloq.]
–
Pillar saint
.
See
Stylite
.
–
Pillars of the fauces
.
See
Fauces
, 1.

Pil′lar

,
Adj.
(Mach.)
Having a support in the form of a pillar, instead of legs;
as, a
pillar
drill
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Pillar

PIL'LAR

,
Noun.
[L. pila, a pile, a pillar, a mortar and pestle. The L. pila denotes a heap, or things thrown, put or driven together.]
Literally, a pile or heap; hence,
1.
A kind or irregular column round an insulate, but deviating from the proportions of a just column. Pillars are either too massive or too slender for regular architecture; they are not restricted to any rules, and their parts and proportions are arbitrary. A square pillar is a massive work, called also a pier or piedroit, serving to support arches. &c.
2.
A supporter; that which sustains or upholds; that on which some superstructure rests. Gal.2.
3.
A monument raised to commemorate any person or remarkable transaction.
And Jacob set a pillar on her grave. Gen.35. 2 Sam.18.
4.
Something resembling a pillar; as a pillar of salt. Gen.19.
So a pillar of a cloud, a pillar of fire. Ex.13.
5.
Foundation; support. Job.9.
6.
In ships, a square or round timber fixed perpendicularly under the middle of the beams for supporting the decks.
7.
In the manege, the center of the volta, ring or manege ground, around which a horse turns. There are also pillars on the circumference or side, placed at certain distances by two and two.

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