Any detached mass of masonry, whether insulated or supporting one side of an arch or lintel, as of a bridge; the piece of wall between two openings. [1913 Webster]
A projecting wharf or landing place. [1913 Webster]

Abutment pier, the pier of a bridge next the shore; a pier which by its strength and stability resists the thrust of an arch. -- Pier glass, a mirror, of high and narrow shape, to be put up between windows. -- Pier table, a table made to stand between windows.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

pier, n.
1 a a structure of iron or wood raised on piles and leading out to sea, a lake, etc., used as a promenade and landing-stage, and often with entertainment arcades etc. b a breakwater; a mole.
2 a a support of an arch or of the span of a bridge; a pillar. b solid masonry between windows etc.

Idiom

pier-glass a large mirror, used orig. to fill wall-space between windows.

Etymology

ME per f. AL pera, of unkn. orig.

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THESAURUS

pier

abutment, anchorage, anchorage ground, arc-boutant, arcade, atlas, baluster, balustrade, banister, bank, base, basin, beam, berth, breakwater, bulkhead, bulwark, buttress, buttress pier, buttressing, caryatid, colonnade, colonnette, column, dado, die, dock, dockage, dockyard, dry dock, embankment, flying buttress, footstalk, groin, hanging buttress, harbor, harborage, haven, jack, jetty, jutty, landing, landing place, landing stage, levee, marina, mole, moorings, newel-post, pedestal, pedicel, peduncle, peristyle, pier buttress, pilaster, pile, piling, pillar, plinth, pole, port, portico, post, protected anchorage, quay, queen-post, rampart, retaining wall, road, roads, roadstead, seaport, seawall, shaft, shipyard, shoulder, slip, socle, staff, stalk, stanchion, stand, standard, stem, subbase, support, surbase, telamon, trunk, upright, wharf, wharfage

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ROGET THESAURUS

pier

Refuge

N refuge, sanctuary, retreat, fastness, acropolis, keep, last resort, ward, prison, asylum, ark, home, refuge for the destitute, almshouse, hiding place, sanctum sanctorum, roadstead, anchorage, breakwater, mole, port, haven, harbor, harbor of refuge, seaport, pier, jetty, embankment, quay, covert, cover, shelter, screen, lee wall, wing, shield, umbrella, barrier, dashboard, dasher, wall, fort, anchor, kedge, grapnel, grappling iron, sheet anchor, killick, mainstay, support, cheek, ballast, jury mast, vent-peg, safety valve, blow-off valve, safety lamp, lightning rod, lightning conductor, safety belt, airbag, seat belt, antilock brakes, antiskid tires, snow tires, means of escape, lifeboat, lifejacket, life buoy, swimming belt, cork jacket, parachute, plank, steppingstone, emergency landing, safeguard, any port in a storm, bibere venenum in auro, valet anchora virtus.

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