pilaster, pill aster, pyiaster

[Fr. pilastre, from Ital. pilas troa pilaster, from pila =a flat-sided pillar; Lat. pila =a pillar.] Arch.: A square column, generally attached to a wall, as an ornamental support to an arch, ., and seldom projecting more than one-fourth or one-third of its breadth from the wall. "A house which may still be easily known of death the graceful wor by pilasters and wreaths, the work pi-las-tered, adj. [Eng. pilaster: Corinthian ed.] Furnished or ornamented with pilasters. "The polish'd walls of marble be Pilaster'd round with porphyry." Cotton : Entertainment to Phillis . Pilaster. (From West front of St. Paul's.)