pier glass
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A pier glass is a tall, narrow mirror, typically designed to be placed on the wall between two windows (on the "pier," or solid section of wall). It is a decorative item, often found in traditional interior design.
Usage
A pier glass is a specific type of mirror. It is used as a singular, countable noun. * The antique pier glass reflected the light from the windows beautifully. * They hung a gilded pier glass in the entryway.
Examples
- The elegant drawing room was adorned with a pier glass framed in gold leaf.
- When furnishing the Victorian-style home, she searched for an authentic pier glass to place between the tall windows.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The pier glass was especially popular in 18th and 19th-century interior design, serving both a practical and ornamental purpose in formal rooms.
- Placement: The term specifically denotes the mirror's intended location. It is not merely a large mirror, but one whose proportions suit the wall space between windows.
Variants and Related Words
- Pier mirror: A direct synonym for pier glass.
- Overmantel mirror: A different type of decorative mirror designed to hang over a fireplace mantel.
- Cheval glass: A tall, full-length mirror that is mounted on a standing frame.
Synonyms
- Pier mirror
- Tall mirror (general)
- Wall mirror (general)
Antonyms
- There is no direct antonym, but functionally different items include a window (an opening) or a solid wall (a non-reflective surface).
Related Phrases/Idioms
- "To be the fairest of them all": While not containing the term "pier glass," this phrase from fairy tales ("Mirror, mirror on the wall...") evokes the concept of a large, talking wall mirror, which a pier glass exemplifies.
Noun
- a large mirror between two windows