pier mirror
- noun
- Archaic
- The foyer was decorated with a large gilded pier mirror above a marble-topped table.
Examples
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A pier mirror hung elegantly between the tall windows facing the garden.
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Antique collectors often seek out ornate pier mirrors from the 19th century.
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The pier mirror reflects the beautiful garden outside.
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She placed a pier mirror between the two windows.
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The elegant room features a tall pier mirror that reflects the beautiful chandelier overhead.
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She placed a vintage pier mirror between the windows to enhance the natural light in the living room.
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Adorning the hallway, the pier mirror adds a touch of sophistication to the otherwise simple decor.
Synonyms
A tall narrow mirror on the wall between two windows
How Tall
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound simply combines 'pier' (an upright support) and 'mirror' so the meaning — a mirror placed against or associated with a pier/support — is directly derivable from its parts. This noun-noun/attributive pattern is a regular compositional construction in English, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the intended sense.
Etymology
The noun pier mirror comes from where the mirror was put: pier was a word for the 'space between windows or columns', and the mirror stood there to catch light and show more of the room. So, pier mirror simply means a tall, narrow mirror placed against or between windows or columns.