The meaning of Piles

noun

A place of residence; a house or home.

Usage examples:

My humble abode

verb

Archaic past of abide.

noun

The place where someone lives

Usage examples:

[ c ] he was a wanderer with no permanent abode.

noun

A structure built to support the lateral pressure of an arch or span, e.g. at the ends of a bridge.

Usage examples:

The first bridge was of timber with stone abutments

noun

A structure that is built to support an arch (= a curved top on two supports, that holds the weight of something above it), or the end of a bridge

verb

Gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of.

Usage examples:

Investigators have yet to accumulate enough evidence

noun

The acquisition or gradual gathering of something.

Usage examples:

The accumulation of wealth

noun

The formation of a number of things into a cluster.

Usage examples:

A single dose of aspirin irreversibly inhibits the normal aggregation of platelets

noun

A collection or gathering of things or people.

Usage examples:

A loose assemblage of diverse groups

verb

(of people) gather together in one place for a common purpose.

Usage examples:

A crowd had assembled outside the gates

noun

A leap in which the feet are brought together before landing.

Usage examples:

The assemblés porté traveled a great distance and ended in perfect fifth position.

verb

Create by putting components or members together

noun

The lowest part or edge of something, especially the part on which it rests or is supported.

Usage examples:

She sat down at the base of a tree

verb

Use (something specified) as the foundation or starting point for something.

Usage examples:

The film is based on a novel by pat conroy

adjective

Without moral principles; ignoble.

Usage examples:

The electorate's baser instincts of greed and selfishness

noun

A piece of furniture for sleep or rest, typically a framework with a mattress.

Usage examples:

A large double bed

verb

Settle down to sleep or rest for the night in an improvised place.

Usage examples:

You can bed down in the shed

abbreviation

Bachelor of education.

Usage examples:

Rose of tralee orla o'shea swapped her tiara for a mortarboard yesterday when she graduated from ma…

noun

A heap, especially of metallic ore or of waste from a mine.

Usage examples:

It must be the worst place i have ever visited - especially the scenic bauxite bings.

exclamation

Indicating a sudden action or event.

Usage examples:

Then, bing, the lights went on

noun

The second letter of the english alphabet

Usage examples:

Mrs. madden gave me a b on my essay for english.

noun

A number of things, typically of the same kind, growing or fastened together.

Usage examples:

A bunch of grapes

verb

Collect or fasten into a compact group.

Usage examples:

She bunched the needles together

noun

A number of things of the same type fastened or closely grouped together, or any particular group of things or people

Usage examples:

We ate a whole bunch of grapes., they’re a nice bunch of people., infml i’ve got a bunch of things …

noun

A collection of things or quantity of material tied or wrapped up together.

Usage examples:

A thick bundle of envelopes

verb

Tie or roll up (a number of things) together as though into a parcel.

Usage examples:

She quickly bundled up her clothes

noun

A structure of stone or brick built against a wall to strengthen or support it.

Usage examples:

The cathedral's massive buttresses

verb

Provide (a building or structure) with buttresses.

Usage examples:

We buttressed the wall as it was showing signs of cracking and collapse

verb

To give support to or strengthen something

Usage examples:

He looked for things that would buttress the prosecution case and win a conviction.

noun

A large building, typically of the medieval period, fortified against attack with thick walls, battlements, towers, and in many cases a moat.

Usage examples:

Edinburgh castle

verb

Make a special move (no more than once in a game by each player) in which the king is transferred from its original square two squares along the back rank towards a rook on its corner square which is then transferred to the square passed over by the king.

Usage examples:

Both of the players castled on the queenside

noun

A large building with strong walls, built in the past by a king or other important person for protection against attack

verb

Demand (an amount) as a price for a service rendered or goods supplied.

Usage examples:

Wedding planners may charge an hourly fee of up to £150

noun

A price asked for goods or services.

Usage examples:

Our standard charge for a letter is £25

noun

An ambassador's deputy.

noun

A large french country house or castle, often giving its name to wine made in its neighbourhood.

Usage examples:

Château margaux

noun

A large house, esp. in france, or a castle in france

verb

Go or come up a (slope or staircase); ascend.

Usage examples:

We began to climb the hill

noun

An ascent, especially of a mountain or hill, by climbing.

Usage examples:

This walk involves a long moorland climb

verb

Go up or advance

noun

A small group of trees or plants growing closely together.

Usage examples:

A clump of ferns

verb

Another term for clomp.

noun

A group, esp. of plants

Usage examples:

Small clumps of hardy grass had sprung up between the rocks., he clumped up the steps., [ t ] in ou…

noun

The action or process of collecting someone or something.

Usage examples:

The collection of data

noun

Money that people give for a special purpose, a person in need, or an organization

Usage examples:

We’re taking (up) a collection for his retirement gift (= getting money from people who want to giv…

noun

The act or job of taking something away from a place

Usage examples:

We will inform you when your goods are ready for collection., refuse/waste collection which public …

noun

An upright pillar, typically cylindrical, supporting an arch, entablature, or other structure or standing alone as a monument.

Usage examples:

A wide entrance portico of eight ionic columns

noun

A tall, vertical post used as a support for the roof of a building or for decoration

Usage examples:

A column of soldiers, a column of smoke, the article filled two columns., a column on sports, a col…

noun

A vertical block of printed text on a page of a newspaper or magazine

Usage examples:

The article appears in the second column on page two., she continued to write her column until shor…

noun

A large number of people gathered together in a disorganized or unruly way.

Usage examples:

A huge crowd gathered in the street outside

verb

(of a number of people) fill (a space) almost completely, leaving little or no room for movement.

Usage examples:

The dance floor was crowded with revellers

noun

A large group of people who have gathered together

Usage examples:

A crowd formed outside the club., crowds of people watched the fireworks., i don’t know many people…

verb

Compress or squeeze forcefully so as to break, damage, or distort in shape.

Usage examples:

The front of his car was crushed in the collision

noun

A crowd of people pressed closely together.

Usage examples:

A number of youngsters fainted in the crush

verb

To press something very hard so that it is broken or its shape is destroyed

Usage examples:

The package got crushed in the mail., her car was crushed by a falling tree., i was crushed because…

noun

The forward edge of a ship's prow.

Usage examples:

Although her hull was wood, it was completely protected by armor plates above the waterline and cop…

noun

A large, imposing building.

Usage examples:

Residential buildings and public edifices were built on a far larger scale than in previous years.

noun

A large building

Usage examples:

The state capitol is an imposing edifice topped by a large dome.

noun

The joint between the forearm and the upper arm.

Usage examples:

She propped herself up on one elbow

verb

Push or strike (someone) with one's elbow.

Usage examples:

One player had elbowed another in the face

noun

The bony point at which the arm bends, or the part of a piece of clothing which covers this area

Usage examples:

His shirt sleeve was torn at the elbow., he elbowed his way through the crowd.

noun

A thread or filament from which a vegetable tissue, mineral substance, or textile is formed.

Usage examples:

The basket comes lined with natural coco fibres

noun

A thread-like part made from plants or artificial material which can be made into products

Usage examples:

Natural fibres such as cotton tend to be cooler., artificial/man-made/synthetic fibre(s), they use …

noun

A number of birds of one kind feeding, resting, or travelling together.

Usage examples:

A flock of gulls

verb

(of birds) congregate in a flock.

Usage examples:

Sandgrouse are liable to flock with other species

noun

A soft material for stuffing cushions, quilts, and other soft furnishings, made of wool refuse or torn-up cloth.

Usage examples:

Flock mattresses

noun

An overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land.

Usage examples:

The villagers had been cut off by floods and landslides

verb

Short for floodlight.

verb

To fill or become covered with water or to cause this to happen to something

Usage examples:

[ t ] a burst pipe flooded the bathroom., [ i ] the basements of many downtown buildings would floo…

noun

The lower extremity of the leg below the ankle, on which a person stands or walks.

Usage examples:

The antipodes were the body's extremities, its feet or its finger nails.

verb

Cover a distance, especially a long one, on foot.

Usage examples:

The rider was left to foot it ten or twelve miles back to camp

noun

A secure grip with one's feet.

Usage examples:

He suddenly lost his footing

verb

Cover a distance, especially a long one, on foot.

Usage examples:

The rider was left to foot it ten or twelve miles back to camp

noun

A firm position of the feet

Usage examples:

He lost his footing and tumbled into the water., both sides need to begin negotiations on equal foo…

noun

The lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level.

Usage examples:

Foundations were being dug for a block of flats

noun

The base that is built below the surface of the ground to support a building

Usage examples:

A concrete foundation, fig. the two leaders have laid the foundations of a new era of cooperation b…

noun

An organization that has been started in order to provide money for a particular group of people or for a particular type of research

Usage examples:

He gave £1m to set up a charitable foundation to help vulnerable young people., he helped lead the …

noun

The short, fine, soft hair of certain animals.

Usage examples:

A long, lean, muscular cat with sleek fur

verb

Coat or clog with a deposit or thick layer.

Usage examples:

The so-called ‘bad’ cholesterol furs up coronary arteries

abbreviation

Furlong(s).

noun

Any of the fine threadlike strands growing from the skin of humans, mammals, and some other animals.

Usage examples:

Coarse outer hairs overlie the thick underfur

noun

The room or space just inside the front entrance of a house or flat.

Usage examples:

Set on five acres, there is a reception hall, drawing room, anteroom, dining room, kitchen, pantry,…

noun

An untidy collection of objects placed haphazardly on top of each other.

Usage examples:

A heap of cardboard boxes

adverb

A great deal.

Usage examples:

‘how do you like maggie?’ ‘i like you heaps better!’

verb

Put (objects or a loose substance) in a heap.

Usage examples:

She heaped logs on the fire

noun

A stock or store of money or valued objects, typically one that is secret or carefully guarded.

Usage examples:

He came back to rescue his little hoard of gold

verb

Accumulate (money or valued objects) and hide or store away.

Usage examples:

Thousands of antiques hoarded by a compulsive collector

verb

To collect a large supply of something, more than you need now, often because you think you will not be able to get it later

Usage examples:

Many people hoarded food in wartime.

verb

Squeeze or pack tightly into a specified space.

Usage examples:

Four of us were jammed in one compartment

noun

An instance of a thing seizing or becoming stuck.

Usage examples:

Paper jams

verb

A sweet spread or conserve made from fruit and sugar boiled to a thick consistency.

Usage examples:

Strawberry jam

verb

Push, elbow, or bump against (someone) roughly, typically in a crowd.

Usage examples:

He was jostled by passengers rushing for the gates

noun

The action of jostling.

Usage examples:

The jostle of shoppers

noun

An untidy collection or pile of things.

Usage examples:

The books were in a chaotic jumble

verb

Mix up in a confused or untidy way.

Usage examples:

A drawer full of letters jumbled together

noun

A confused mixture or mass of things

Usage examples:

A jumble of papers on the desk, the events of the last few weeks are all jumbled up in my mind.

noun

A heavy or bulky thing that is being carried or is about to be carried.

Usage examples:

In addition to their own food, they must carry a load of up to eighty pounds

verb

Fill (a vehicle, ship, container, etc.) with a large amount of something.

Usage examples:

They go to calais to load up their vans with cheap beer

noun

A shape produced by a curve that bends round and crosses itself.

Usage examples:

Make a loop in the twine

verb

Form (something) into a loop or loops; encircle.

Usage examples:

She looped her arms around his neck

noun

A circular shape made by something long and narrow in which the two ends cross each other, leaving an open space within

Usage examples:

A loop of thread from my sweater caught on a nail., the exit ramp makes a loop under the elevated h…

noun

A large country house or manor house in france.

Usage examples:

It was not until the 1980s that exchange controls finally came to an end, and with them the freedom…

noun

A large country house with lands.

Usage examples:

A tudor manor house in the english countryside

noun

A large old house in the country with land belonging to it, especially in europe

noun

A large, impressive house.

Usage examples:

Simple shotgun houses to magnificent mansions will be showcased in this exhibition detailing new or…

noun

A very large and usually expensive house

Usage examples:

Mansions line the shore around the lake.

noun

A large body of matter with no definite shape.

Usage examples:

The sun broke out from behind a mass of clouds

adjective

Involving or affecting large numbers of people or things.

Usage examples:

The film has mass appeal

verb

Assemble or cause to assemble into a single body or mass.

Usage examples:

Both countries began massing troops in the region

noun

A rounded mass projecting above a surface.

Usage examples:

The bushes were little more than vague mounds beneath the snow

verb

Heap up into a rounded pile.

Usage examples:

Basmati rice was mounded on our plates

noun

A ball representing the earth, used as part of royal regalia, e.g. on top of a crown, typically of gold and surmounted by a cross.

Usage examples:

The importance of this conclusion to brook was that it seemed to supply evidence that there had bee…

verb

Sleep lightly or briefly, especially during the day.

Usage examples:

She took to napping on the beach in the afternoons

noun

A short sleep, especially during the day.

Usage examples:

Excuse me, i'll just take a little nap

noun

The raised hairs or threads on the surface of fabric or suede leather, in terms of the direction in which they naturally lie.

Usage examples:

Carefully machine the seam, following the direction of the nap

noun

A large and impressive building forming the official residence of a ruler, pope, archbishop, etc.

Usage examples:

The royal palace

noun

A large, highly decorated house, esp. one that is the official home of a king or queen

Usage examples:

Most of the palace is open to the public as a museum.

noun

A palatial building, especially in italy.

Usage examples:

Dotted all around it are perfect little palazzi and art deco buildings, and the city boasts broad p…

noun

A very large and beautiful italian house, especially one that a member of a royal family or person of high social rank used to live in

Usage examples:

He rents a flat in a former palazzo on a quiet venetian canal., via garibaldi is lined with stunnin…

noun

The base or support on which a statue, obelisk, or column is mounted.

Usage examples:

A bronze bust on a marble pedestal

verb

Set or support on a pedestal.

Usage examples:

A venus stands pedestalled in an alcove

noun

A base for a statue, or a base for a column

Usage examples:

Museum staff plan to replace the cracked pedestal under the statue.

noun

A platform on pillars projecting from the shore into the sea, typically incorporating entertainment arcades and places to eat.

Usage examples:

The pier was the fourth longest in the country at 562 feet, with a large saloon and concert hall at…

noun

A structure built out over the water on posts, along which boats can land

Usage examples:

A fishing pier

noun

Heavy stakes or posts installed to support the foundations of a superstructure.

Usage examples:

Wooden piling supporting a complex of waterfront buildings

verb

Place (things) one on top of the other.

Usage examples:

She piled all the groceries on the counter

verb

Strengthen or support (a structure) with piles.

Usage examples:

An earlier bridge may have been piled

noun

A tall vertical structure of stone, wood, or metal, used as a support for a building, or as an ornament or monument.

Usage examples:

Every bungalow is supported on stone pillars, which permits us to maintain the natural terrain and …

noun

A strong vertical column made of stone, metal, or wood that supports part of a building or stands alone for decoration

Usage examples:

He’s a pillar of the dallas business community.

noun

A heavy base supporting a statue or vase.

Usage examples:

Busts of the king and queen on marble plinths

noun

A square block, especially of stone, on which a column or a statue stands

noun

A rich fabric of silk, cotton, wool, or a combination of these, with a long, soft nap.

Usage examples:

Plush upholstery

adjective

Richly luxurious and expensive.

Usage examples:

A plush mayfair flat

adjective

Expensive, comfortable, and of high quality

Usage examples:

A plush hotel room

noun

A long, sturdy piece of timber or metal set upright in the ground and used as a support or marker.

Usage examples:

Follow the blue posts until the track meets a road

verb

Display (a notice) in a public place.

Usage examples:

A curt notice had been posted on the door

adverb

With haste.

Usage examples:

Come now, come post

noun

A pole or beam used as a temporary support or to keep something in position.

Usage examples:

He looked around for a prop to pin the door open

verb

Support or keep in position.

Usage examples:

She propped her chin in the palm of her right hand

noun

A portable object other than furniture or costumes used on the set of a play or film.

Usage examples:

The exhibition features props and costumes from the show's incredible 49-year history

verb

Exert force on (someone or something) in order to move them away from oneself.

Usage examples:

She pushed her glass towards him

noun

An act of pushing someone or something in order to move them away from oneself.

Usage examples:

He closed the door with a push

verb

Move with force, "he pushed the table into a corner"

noun

A monumental structure with a square or triangular base and sloping sides that meet in a point at the top, especially one built of stone as a royal tomb in ancient egypt.

Usage examples:

The ancient egyptians used the pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and temples for their gods.

verb

Stack or arrange in the shape of a pyramid.

Usage examples:

What is the " best " way to do the gene pyramiding?

noun

The amount or number of a material or abstract thing not usually estimated by spatial measurement.

Usage examples:

The quantity and quality of the fruit can be controlled

noun

A person's home, especially a large and impressive one.

Usage examples:

The youth hostel has been adapted from a private residence

noun

The place where someone lives, or the condition of living somewhere

Usage examples:

[ c ] that big building is the governor’s official residence (= home)., [ u ] she took up residence…

noun

A home, or the fact of living in a particular home

Usage examples:

The property will be used as her main residence., many banks require proof of residence to open an …

noun

A stack of hay, corn, straw, or similar material, especially one formerly built into a regular shape and thatched.

Usage examples:

Our first night on the march, the general and his staff all climbed into a straw rick and passed a …

verb

Form into a rick or ricks; stack.

Usage examples:

The nine cords of good spruce wood ricked up in the back yard

verb

Strain (one's neck or back) slightly.

Usage examples:

I whirled so quickly that i nearly ricked my neck

noun

A loosely piled heap.

Usage examples:

A rickle of bones

noun

A thin straight bar, especially of wood or metal.

Usage examples:

Concrete walls reinforced with steel rods

noun

A long, thin pole made of wood, metal, or other material

Usage examples:

A fishing/curtain rod

noun

A thing made or used for sitting on, such as a chair or stool.

Usage examples:

I sat down in the white chair while dr. clark took a seat on a stool that sat to my left.

verb

Arrange for (someone) to sit somewhere.

Usage examples:

Owen seated his guests in the draughty baronial hall

noun

A piece of furniture or other place for someone to sit

Usage examples:

She left her jacket on the back of her seat., i got a seat on the flight to new york., please take …

noun

A carpet or rug with a long, rough pile.

Usage examples:

Wall-to-wall shag carpet

noun

A western european and mediterranean cormorant with greenish-black plumage and a long curly crest in the breeding season.

Usage examples:

Although the majority of shags, unlike many cormorants, do not normally wander far in winter from t…

noun

A dance originating in the us in the 1930s and 1940s, characterized by vigorous hopping from one foot to the other.

verb

Push (someone or something) roughly.

Usage examples:

They started pushing and shoving people out of the way

noun

A strong push.

Usage examples:

She gave him a hefty shove and he nearly fell

verb

Come into rough contact with while moving

verb

Firmly press (something soft or yielding), typically with one's fingers.

Usage examples:

Kate squeezed his hand affectionately

noun

An act of squeezing something.

Usage examples:

A gentle squeeze of the trigger

Press firmly

noun

A pile of objects, typically one that is neatly arranged.

Usage examples:

A stack of boxes

verb

Arrange (a number of things) in a pile, typically a neat one.

Usage examples:

She stood up, beginning to stack the plates

verb

An orderly pile

noun

An upright bar, post, or frame forming a support or barrier.

Usage examples:

There is barely a scrap of bare metal on the stanchions, pillars, posts, railings, and decking ribs.

noun

A fixed vertical bar or pole used as a support for something

Usage examples:

If this stanchion is removed, the stairs will collapse., his 18-yard shot hit the stanchion (= goal…

verb

Remain in the same place.

Usage examples:

You stay here and i'll be back soon

noun

A period of staying somewhere, in particular of living somewhere temporarily as a visitor or guest.

Usage examples:

An overnight stay at a luxury hotel

verb

Secure or steady (a mast) by means of stays.

Usage examples:

We stayed the mast on the starboard side by shifting the halyard

noun

A large accumulated stock of goods or materials, especially one held in reserve for use at a time of shortage or other emergency.

Usage examples:

A stockpile of sandbags was being prepared

verb

Accumulate a large stock of (goods or materials).

Usage examples:

He claimed that the weapons were being stockpiled

noun

A large amount of goods kept ready for future use

Usage examples:

A stockpile of wheat, she stockpiled chocolate bars in her car.

noun

A quantity or supply of something kept for use as needed.

Usage examples:

The squirrel has a store of food

verb

Keep or accumulate (something) for future use.

Usage examples:

A small room used for storing furniture

noun

A place where you can buy goods or services

Usage examples:

A grocery/hardware/video store, convenience/department stores, she has a store of anecdotes (= a la…

noun

A small, narrow river.

Usage examples:

A perfect trout stream

verb

(of liquid, air, gas, etc.) run or flow in a continuous current in a specified direction.

Usage examples:

She sat with tears streaming down her face

noun

A small river that flows on or below the surface of the ground

Usage examples:

Rivers are wider, deeper, and longer than streams., the faucet leaked in a steady stream., an endle…

noun

The foundation for a floor in a building.

Usage examples:

While you can install laminate flooring over just about any type of subfloor, the subfloor needs to…

noun

An underlying or supporting structure.

Usage examples:

Here is a roman theatre built over barrel-vaulted substructures

noun

A firm structure that supports something built on top of it

Usage examples:

The explosion damaged the bridge, but the substructure remained intact.

verb

Bear all or part of the weight of; hold up.

Usage examples:

The dome was supported by a hundred white columns

noun

A thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it upright.

Usage examples:

The best support for a camera is a tripod

verb

The act of bearing the weight of or strengthening

noun

The outside part or uppermost layer of something.

Usage examples:

The earth's surface

adjective

Relating to or found on the surface of something.

Usage examples:

Surface layers

verb

Rise or come up to the surface of the water or the ground.

Usage examples:

He surfaced from his dive

noun

A long, thin strand of cotton, nylon, or other fibres used in sewing or weaving.

Usage examples:

He had a loose thread on his shirt

verb

Pass a thread through the eye of (a needle) or through the needle and guides of (a sewing machine).

Usage examples:

I can't even thread a needle

phrase

Clothes

Usage examples:

I love walking down the street and seeing someone in my threads., i've always liked my threads., ni…

noun

A tall, narrow building, either free-standing or forming part of a building such as a church or castle.

Usage examples:

The south-west tower is a wonderful example of late gothic

verb

Rise to or reach a great height.

Usage examples:

He seemed to tower over everyone else

verb

Fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong.

Usage examples:

She pitched forward, tumbling down the remaining stairs

noun

A sudden or headlong fall.

Usage examples:

I took a tumble in the nettles

verb

Fall down, as if collapsing

noun

A solid foundation laid below ground level to support or strengthen a building.

Usage examples:

All this will provide a solid underpinning for housing.

verb

Support (a building or other structure) from below by laying a solid foundation below ground level or by substituting stronger for weaker materials.

noun

Something that provides support for something, or that is the starting point from which something can develop

Usage examples:

A strong opening on wall street provided a firm underpinning for the ftse 100.

verb

Support, especially with a prop.

Usage examples:

A bearing is provided for underpropping the shaft extension of the free end of the printing roller.

adjective

(of a person) sitting or standing with the back straight.

Usage examples:

An upright posture

adverb

In or into an upright position.

Usage examples:

She was sitting upright in bed

noun

A post or rod fixed vertically, especially as a structural support.

Usage examples:

The stone uprights of the parapet

noun

A closely woven fabric of silk, cotton, or nylon, that has a thick short pile on one side.

Usage examples:

An armchair covered in velvet

adjective

A silky densely piled fabric with a plain back