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pier

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The definition of a pier is a heavy structure usually built over water.

(noun)

An example of a pier is a dock for tying up boats.

See pier in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a heavy structure supporting the spans of a bridge, esp., as distinguished from an abutment, one supporting the adjacent ends of two center spans of a long bridge
a structure built out over the water and supported by pillars or piles: used as a landing place, pleasure pavilion, etc.
Archit.
1. a heavy column, usually square, used to support weight, as at the end of an arch
2. the part of a wall between windows or other openings
3. a reinforcing part built out from the surface of a wall

Origin: ME per < ML pera, ult. < ? or akin to L petra, stone < Gr, rock

See pier in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A platform extending from a shore over water and supported by piles or pillars, used to secure, protect, and provide access to ships or boats.
b. Such a structure used predominantly for entertainment.
A supporting structure at the junction of connecting spans of a bridge.
Architecture Any of various vertical supporting structures, especially:
a. A pillar, generally rectangular in cross section, supporting an arch or roof.
b. The portion of a wall between windows, doors, or other openings.
c. A reinforcing structure that projects from a wall; a buttress.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English per, bridge support

Origin: , partly from Norman French pere, piere (from Old French puiere, a support, from puie, from puier, to support, from Vulgar Latin *podiāre, from Latin podium, platform; see podium)

Origin: and partly from Medieval Latin pera (from Old North French pire, piere, breakwater, possibly from Latin petra, rock, from Greek petrā; see per-² in Indo-European roots)

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