See Also: pier(encyclopedia)
pier(dictionary)
pier(dictionary)
Pier(finance)
Pier(money)
pier-head(dictionary)
Spinelli, Pier(medicine)
Pier - Sailing(gambling)
pier (as used in expressions)(encyclopedia)
Bournemouth-Pier Beach(tourism)

pier (iou)



pier noun. ME.
[Anglo-Latin pera, of unkn. origin.]
A support of one of the spans of a bridge. (rare before 17.) ME.
a. A solid structure extending into the sea or a river to protect a harbour and form a landing-stage for vessels; a breakwater, a mole. Also, a similar structure in the form of a platform supported on pillars or girders for use as a pleasure promenade or landing-stage. LME.
M. Forster There is a steamer leaves the pier at ten in the morning. Guardian He fell 50 ft into the sea from a funfair ride on Palace Pier, Brighton.
b. transf. A haven, a harbour. M16-E18.
c. A long narrow structure projecting from the main body of an airport terminal along which passengers walk to and from their aircraft. M20.
New Scientist A moving walkway along the pier to the two terminals.
Building. A solid support designed to sustain vertical pressure; spec. (a) an extent of wall between adjacent openings; (b) a doorpost, a gatepost; (c) a pillar from which an arch springs. E17.
E. Waugh The park gates..swung on rusticated stone piers. E. H. Gombrich In Romanesque..churches we..find round arches resting on massive piers.
Comb.: pier-glass a large tall mirror, used orig. to fill the wall between two windows; pier-master the officer in charge of a pier; pier-mirror = pier-glass above; pier-stake any of the pillars on which a pier is supported; pier-table a low table or bracket in the space between two windows, often under a pier-glass.
pierage noun (a) the use of a pier or wharf; (b) the fee paid for this: L16.
pierless adjective M19.