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from pillar to post

from pil·lar to post
F f

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [fruhm, from pil-er too pohst]
    • /frʌm, frɒm ˈpɪl ər tu poʊst/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [fruhm, from pil-er too pohst]
    • /frʌm, frɒm ˈpɪl ər tu poʊst/

Definitions of from pillar to post words

  • noun from pillar to post an upright shaft or structure, of stone, brick, or other material, relatively slender in proportion to its height, and of any shape in section, used as a building support, or standing alone, as for a monument: Gothic pillars; a pillar to commemorate Columbus. 1
  • noun from pillar to post a natural formation resembling such a construction: a pillar of rock; a pillar of smoke. 1
  • noun from pillar to post any upright, supporting part; post: the pillar of a table. 1
  • noun from pillar to post a person who is a chief supporter of a society, state, institution, etc.: a pillar of the community. 1
  • noun from pillar to post Horology. any of several short parts for spacing and keeping in the proper relative positions two plates holding the bearings of a watch or clock movement. 1
  • noun from pillar to post Mining. an isolated mass of rock or ore in a mine, usually serving as a roof support in early operations and later removed, wholly or in part. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of from pillar to post

First appearance:

before 1175
One of the 8% oldest English words
1175-1225; Middle English pillare < Medieval Latin pīlāre (see pile1, -ar2); replacing earlier piler < Old French < Medieval Latin, as above

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for From pillar to post

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

from pillar to post popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 86% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

from pillar to post usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for from pillar to post

adv from pillar to post

  • seesaw — a recreation in which two children alternately ride up and down while seated at opposite ends of a plank balanced at the middle.
  • to and fro — back-and-forth: to-and-fro motion.
  • vacillating — not resolute; wavering; indecisive; hesitating: an ineffectual, vacillating person.
  • alternating — happening in succession
  • up and down — moving in or related to a direction that is up or is regarded as up: the up elevator; the up train traveling north; the up platform of a railroad station.

See also

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