1.
[syn: from pillar to post, hither and thither]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pillar \Pil"lar\, n. [OE. pilerF. 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.
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Jacob set a pillar upon her grave. --Gen. xxxv.
20.
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The place . . . vast and proud,
Supported by a hundred pillars stood. --Dryden.
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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.
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By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire. --Milton.
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3. (R. C. Ch.) A portable ornamental column, formerly carried
before a cardinal, as emblematic of his support to the
church. [Obs.] --Skelton.
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4. (Man.) The center of the volta, ring, or manege ground,
around which a horse turns.
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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.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Post \Post\, n. [AS., fr. L. postis, akin to ponere, positum, to
place. See Position, and cf. 4th Post.]
1. A piece of timber, metal, or other solid substance, fixed,
or to be fixed, firmly in an upright position, especially
when intended as a stay or support to something else; a
pillar; as, a hitching post; a fence post; the posts of a
house.
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They shall take of the blood, and strike it on the
two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the
houses. --Ex. xii. 7.
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Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders
bore,
The gates of Azza, post and massy bar. --Milton.
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Unto his order he was a noble post. --Chaucer.
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Note: Post, in the sense of an upright timber or strut, is
used in composition, in such words as king-post,
queen-post, crown-post, gatepost, etc.
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2. The doorpost of a victualer's shop or inn, on which were
chalked the scores of customers; hence, a score; a debt.
[Obs.]
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When God sends coin
I will discharge your post. --S. Rowlands.
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From pillar to post. See under Pillar.
Knight of the post. See under Knight.
Post hanger (Mach.), a bearing for a revolving shaft,
adapted to be fastened to a post.
Post hole, a hole in the ground to set the foot of a post
in.
Post mill, a form of windmill so constructed that the whole
fabric rests on a vertical axis firmly fastened to the
ground, and capable of being turned as the direction of
the wind varies.
Post and stall (Coal Mining), a mode of working in which
pillars of coal are left to support the roof of the mine.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
from pillar to post
adv 1: from one place or situation to another; "we were driven
from pillar to post" [syn: from pillar to post, hither
and thither]