Pill'ar, n.
[Fr. pilier, Pr., Sp., & Pg. pilar, It. piliere, L. Lat. pilare, pilarium, pilarius, from Lat. pila, a pillar and a mortar; Dan. piller, pille, Sw. pelare, D. pijlaar, L. Ger. piler, H. Ger. pfeiler.]
Sense 1. A pier or column intended to support an arch, a roof, an entablature, a statue, or the like; a firm, upright, insulated support for a superstructure.
Sense 2. Hence, that which resembles such a pillar in appearance; as, a pillar of smoke or fire; the Pillars of Hercules; also, a character which resembles such a pillar in stability and strength; as, the pillars of church or state. “By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire.” Milton.
You are a well-deserving pillar. Shak.
Sense 3. A portable ornamental column, formerly carried before a cardinal, as emblematic of his support to the church. [Obs.]
After them follow two laymen secular, And each of them holding a pillar In their hands instead of a mace. Skelton.
Sense 4. (Man.) 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.