pier
1.
2. A supporting structure at the junction of connecting spans of a bridge.
3. Architecture. Any of various vertical supporting structures, especially: a. A pillar, rectangular in cross section, supporting an arch or roof. b. The portion of a wall between windows. c. A reinforcing structure that projects from a wall; a buttress.
[Middle English per, bridge support, partly from Norman French pere, piere (from Old French puiere, a support, from puie, support, from puier, to support, from Vulgar Latin *podiāre, from Latin podium, platform). See