Pi*las"ter (?), n. [F. pilastre, It.
pilastro, LL. pilastrum, fr. L.
pila a pillar. See Pillar.]
(Arch.) An upright architectural
member right-angled in plan, constructionally a pier (See Pier, 1 (b)), but architecturally corresponding to a column, having capital, shaft, and base to agree
with those of the columns of
the same order. In most cases the projection from the wall is one third of
its width, or less.
Hear it pronounced