pillar
/ˈpɪlə(r); `pɪlɚ/ n
1
(a) upright column of stone, wood, metal, etc used as a support or an ornament, a monument, etc 柱子; 支柱. =>illus at App 1 见附录1插图, page viii.
(b) thing in the shape of this 柱形物
a pillar of cloud, fire, smoke, etc 云柱、 火柱、 烟柱.
2 ~ of sth strong supporter of sth （某事物的）强大支持者
a pillar of the Church, the establishment, the faith 教会、 统治集团、 该信仰的拥护者
a scandal involving several pillars (ie respected members) of society 涉及几个社会要人的丑闻
She was a pillar of strength to us (ie supported us strongly) when our situation seemed hopeless. 在我们近乎绝望之际, 她给了我们有力的支持.
3 (idm 习语) (go) from ,pillar to `post (go) from one person or thing to another (esp in an unsatisfactory or upsetting way) 到处奔走; （尤指）到处碰壁
She was driven from pillar to post and each person she spoke to was more unhelpful than the last. 她被迫四处奔走求救於人, 但愿意帮她的人一个不如一个.