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Pilaster for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: pɪ'læstər

What does Pilaster really mean?

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Pilaster is a word that might not come up very often in everyday conversation, but it's actually not as complex as it might sound. Think of it as a fancy term for a decorative column that sticks out from a wall. You know when you look at fancy buildings and you see those long vertical lines that look like columns but they're attached to the wall? Well, those are pilasters!

Imagine that you have a plain old wall in your house. It's just flat and kind of boring. Now, let's say you want to make that wall look more interesting, like the ones you see in grand old buildings or historical landmarks. You might decide to add some pilasters to it. These pilasters will give the illusion that your wall is actually supported by strong and beautiful columns.

Just like columns, pilasters also have a base and a capital. The base is the bottom part, which gives it stability. It's like the foundation of the pilaster. The capital, on the other hand, is the top part, and it adds a decorative touch. It's like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae, making the whole thing look even more delightful.

Now, here's where it can get a little bit tricky. Pilasters serve both a practical and an aesthetic purpose. Practically speaking, they can provide additional support to a structure, just like how columns do. They can give extra strength to a wall and help distribute the weight properly. When buildings were made with heavy materials like stone or brick, pilasters were essential in preventing the walls from collapsing.

On the aesthetic side, pilasters are used to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to a building's design. They can make an ordinary wall look grand and imposing. They're like the fancy jewelry that people wear to make themselves stand out in a crowd. Just as jewelry enhances a person's appearance, pilasters enhance the overall look of a building.

So, to sum it all up, a pilaster is essentially a decorative column that is attached to a wall. It can serve both a practical and an aesthetic purpose, providing support and adding beauty to a structure. Once you start noticing them, you'll see pilasters in many different buildings, from historical landmarks to modern architecture. And now that you understand what a pilaster is, you'll impress your friends and family with your knowledge of architectural terms!

Revised and Fact checked by Michael Garcia on 2023-10-29 21:25:27

Pilaster In a sentece

Learn how to use Pilaster inside a sentece

  • A pilaster is like a flat pillar that you might see on the side of a building, kind of like a decoration.
  • If you look at some old buildings, you can see that they have pilasters, which are tall and skinny, sticking out of the walls.
  • In ancient architecture, the pilaster was used to add some extra detail and style to buildings, making them look fancy.
  • If you imagine a plain wall being divided into sections, a pilaster could be like a fake column that is protruding out from the wall.
  • Pilasters are often seen in classical or neoclassical buildings, giving them a more sophisticated and elegant appearance.

Pilaster Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.