noun · neutersecond declension
pīlastrum
pīlastrum n (genitive pīlastrī)
Classical[piːˈɫas.trũː]Ecclesiastical[piˈlas.trum]
Meaning
- Medieval Latinpilaster (rectangular pillar built into a wall)
Declension
| form | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | pīlastrum | pīlastra |
| genitive | pīlastrī | pīlastrōrum |
| dative | pīlastrō | pīlastrīs |
| accusative | pīlastrum | pīlastra |
| ablative | pīlastrō | pīlastrīs |
| vocative | pīlastrum | pīlastra |
Origins
From pīla (“pillar”) + -astrum (“quality-reducing suffix”), thus meaning roughly "incomplete pillar", as pilasters lack the full volume of the element they represent. Compare palliastrum, referring to a poor pallium.