 |
Sense: 1-6, 9
| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | Latin pila; PILLAR |
| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | pilus 'hair' |
| Origin: | Old English pil, from Latin pilum 'javelin' |
| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | pila 'ball' |
Related topics:
1 a group of several things of the same type that are put on top of each other [= stack]
arrangement of things
[countable] pile of 
His mother came in carrying a pile of ironing in her arms.Flora shuffled through a pile of magazines.
His mother came in carrying a pile of ironing in her arms.Flora shuffled through a pile of magazines.2 a large amount of something arranged in a shape that looks like a small hill Sophie stooped to throw another branch on the pile.
large amount
[countable] pile of piles of melting snow All that remained of the old house was a pile of rubble.
piles of melting snowAll that remained of the old house was a pile of rubble.Sophie stooped to throw another branch on the pile.3 a lot of something : We've had piles of letters from viewers. another pile of directives from the EU
a pile of something
also piles of something informalWe've had piles of letters from viewers.another pile of directives from the EU4 the weakest or least important position in a society or organization : I soon discovered I was at the bottom of the pile in the office hierarchy. She always puts her own needs to the bottom of the pile.
the bottom of the pile
British EnglishI soon discovered I was at the bottom of the pile in the office hierarchy.She always puts her own needs to the bottom of the pile.5 the best or highest position in a society or organization : It's been 20 years since a British tennis player was at the top of the pile.
the top of the pile
British EnglishIt's been 20 years since a British tennis player was at the top of the pile.6 a very large old house : They've just bought an 18th-century pile in Surrey.
house
[countable]They've just bought an 18th-century pile in Surrey.7 the soft surface of short threads on a carpet or some types of cloth ➔ nap1 (2)
material
[uncountable and countable]TIM8 a heavy wooden, stone, or metal post, used to support something heavy
