Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Pier"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Pier \Pier\, n. [OE. pere, OF. piere a stone, F. pierre, fr. L.
petra, Gr. ?. Cf. {Petrify}.]
1. (Arch.)
(a) 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.
(b) Any additional or auxiliary mass of masonry used to
stiffen a wall. See {Buttress}.
2. A projecting wharf or landing place.
{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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Band \Band\ (b[a^]nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Banded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Banding}.]
1. To bind or tie with a band.
2. To mark with a band.
3. To unite in a troop, company, or confederacy. ``Banded
against his throne.'' --Milton.
{Banded architrave}, {pier}, {shaft}, etc. (Arch.), an
architrave, pier, etc., of which the regular profile is
interrupted by blocks or projections crossing it at right
angles.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
pier
n 1: a platform built out from the shore into the water and
supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
[syn: {wharf}, {wharfage}, {dock}]
2: (architecture) a vertical supporting structure (as a portion
of wall between two doors or windows)
3: a support for two adjacent bridge spans
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