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Glite Dictionary
pier arch

pier arch

8.1
An arch that rests on thick upright supports instead of columns or walls
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : arco de soporte
  • The cathedral's nave is lined with a series of impressive pier arches.

Examples

  • The monument features a large central pier arch flanked by two smaller ones.

  • Many pier arches can be seen along the coast.

  • Engineers inspected the pier arch for structural integrity after the earthquake.

  • The pier arch was beautifully designed.

  • Engineers inspected the pier arch for structural integrity after the earthquake.

  • The monument features a large central pier arch flanked by two smaller ones.

  • The cathedral's nave is lined with a series of impressive pier arches.

Synonyms

arch
vspier arch
41 3.5

A curved structure that spans an opening and supports weight

is supported on thick vertical supports rather than on columns or walls

Surface Forms

pier arch singular
pier arches plural

Morphology

pier + arch

The meaning 'an arch supported on piers' is directly and compositionally derived from 'pier' (a supporting upright) and 'arch' (an arched construction). This noun–noun combination follows a transparent compounding pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Pier arch shows a simple picture: a curved arch resting on strong, block-like supports called piers. Because the arch is literally held up by the piers, pier arch means 'an arch supported by piers'.