different between piers vs abutment

English

Noun

piers

1. plural of pier

Anagrams

• 'spire, Peris, Speir, Spier, peris, pries, prise, resip, ripes, spier, spire

Kashubian

Etymology

From Proto-Slavic *p?rs?.

Noun

piers f

1. breast, chest

English

Etymology

First attested in 1644; engineering sense first attested in 1793. From Old French aboutement. Equivalent to abut +? -ment.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??b?t.mn?t/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??b?t.mn?t/
• Rhymes: -?tm?nt

Noun

abutment (countable and uncountable, plural abutments)

1. The point of junction between two things, in particular a support, that abuts. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]
2. (engineering, architecture) The solid portion of a structure that supports the lateral pressure of an arch or vault. [First attested in the mid 18^th century.]
3. (engineering) A construction that supports the ends of a bridge; a structure that anchors the cables on a suspension bridge. [First attested in the mid 18^th century.]
4. (meteorology) The part of a valley or canyon wall against which a dam is constructed.

   Heavy rains have caused the dam's abutments to seep, raising concern over possible dam failure.

5. Something that abuts, or on which something abuts. [First attested in the mid 18^th century.]
6. The state of abutting.
7. (architecture) That element that shares a common boundary or surface with its neighbor.
8. (dentistry) The tooth that supports a denture or bridge.
9. A fixed point or surface where resistance is obtained.

   The fulcrum acted as an abutment.

Translations

References