ETYM Latin columna, from columen, culmen, from cellere (used only in comp.), akin to Eng. excel, and prob. to holm. See Holm, Colonel.
1. A tall, cylindrical upright structure, used in architecture; SYN. pillar.
2. Anything tall and thin approximating the shape of a column or tower; SYN. tower, pillar.
3. A vertical structure standing alone and not supporting anything (as a monument or a column of air); SYN. pillar.
4. A linear array of numbers one above another.
5. A vertical glass tube used in column chromatography; a mixture is poured in the top and washed through a stationary substance where components of the mixture are adsorbed selectively to form colored bands; SYN. chromatography column.
6. An article giving opinions or perspectives; SYN. editorial, newspaper column.
7. A line of (usually military) units following one after another. + prikaži više

ETYM Old Eng. pilerFrench pilier, Late Lat. pilare, pilarium, pilarius, from Latin pila a pillar. Related to Pile a heap.
1. A fundamental principle or practice.
2. A prominent supporter; SYN. mainstay.