pilaster
UK[pɪˈlastə]US[pɪˈlastər]
n
A rectangular column, especially one that projects from a wall.
Morpheme Breakdown
pil
aster
pil
pillar
aster
diminutive suffix
Etymology
The word 'pilaster' entered English in the late 16th century from French 'pilastre', which itself derived from Italian 'pilastro'. The Italian term is a direct descendant of the Medieval Latin 'pilastrum', a diminutive form of the classical Latin 'pila', meaning a pillar or pier. The core logic of the word is therefore "a little pillar," which perfectly describes its architectural function as a shallow, rectangular columnar form attached to a wall, providing decorative emphasis rather than full structural support. This evolution from a solid, free-standing 'pila' to a flattened, attached 'pilastrum' illustrates a common pattern in architectural terminology where a diminutive suffix modifies a core structural concept.
Analysis
Structure: pil (pillar) + aster (diminutive suffix)
pil (from Latin 'pila', meaning pillar or pier). aster (a Latin diminutive suffix, indicating a smaller or lesser version).
Examples
The classical facade was adorned with fluted pilasters on either side of the main entrance.
Unlike a freestanding column, a pilaster is engaged, meaning it is partly embedded in the wall.
The architect used simple pilasters to break up the expanse of the blank brick wall.