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Where does the word "pillar" come from? It comes from Latin pila, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "pillar" come from? It comes from Latin pila, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Pillar’s story begins in Latin: pila meant “pillar, pier.” A stone pier or column. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as piler. Gave 'pile' as in bridge supports. It reached English by 1200s as pillar. 'from pillar to post' comes from real tennis. Today, pillar means a tall vertical support; a key supporter.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pila "pillar, pier", a stone pier or column.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval piler "column", gave 'pile' as in bridge supports.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s pillar "a column", 'from pillar to post' comes from real tennis.