Pile Names a Heap, a Post and the Surface of a Carpet
A pile is a heap of things. Two other piles mean a driven post and a fabric nap.
A pile is a heap of things stacked together. Two other words share the spelling. A *pile* is also a heavy post driven into the ground to support a building — Venice stands on millions of them — from Latin *pilum*, a javelin. And the *pile* of a carpet or velvet is its raised surface of fibres, from Latin *pilus*, a hair, the same root as *peel*. The heap sense comes from Latin *pila*, a pillar or pier, through the idea of things stacked up.
- A heap. *A pile of books.*
- A driven post. *Timber piles.*
- Fabric nap. *A deep pile carpet.*
- To stack. *Piling them up.*
- Latin — *pila*, a pillar. *The heap sense.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | pile | A pile. |
| Verb | pile | Piling. |
| Compound | pile driver | A pile driver. |
| Latin | pilum | A javelin. |
| Latin | pilus | A hair. |
- A pile of papers.Heap.
- The house stands on piles.Foundation.
- A thick pile carpet.Fabric.
Venice and its piles
- Millions of wooden piles were driven into the lagoon mud
- Alder and larch were preferred for their resistance
- Submerged wood does not rot without oxygen
- Minerals in the water gradually petrify the timber
- Stone platforms were laid across the piles to build on
The heap is Latin *pila*, a pillar. The post is Latin *pilum*, a javelin. The nap is Latin *pilus*, a hair.
Are the three piles related?
No. They come from three separate Latin words meaning a pillar, a javelin and a hair.
Why do submerged piles not rot?
Because without oxygen the fungi that decay wood cannot work, and minerals gradually harden the timber.