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A funeral pile; a combustible heap on which the dead are burned; hence, any pile to be burnt. For nine long nights, through all the dusky air, The pyres thick flaming shot a dismal glare. Pope.

A very sensitive modification or application of the thermopile, used for indicating minute changes of radiant heat, or temperature.

The weight which strikes the blow, in a pile driver, steam hammer, stamp mill, or the like.

An instrument for driving anything force; as, a rammer for driving stones or piles, or for beating the earth to more solidity.

An herb (Pilea pumila) of the Nettle family, having a smooth, juicy, pellucid stem; -- called also clearweed.

A stack or pile, as of grain, straw, or hay, in the open air, usually protected from wet with thatching. Golden clusters of beehive ricks, rising at intervals beyond the hedgerows. G. Eliot.

a & n. from Ring, v. Ringing engine, a simple form of pile driver in which the monkey is lifted by men pulling on ropes.

A pile of roots, set with plants, mosses, etc., and used as an ornamental object in gardening.

A pile of arched tiles, used to catch and retain oyster spawn.

kind of punch used for bending, indenting, or giving shape to, metal; as, a saw set. (e) (Pile Driving)

edo and allied genera. The shipworms burrow in wood, and are destructive to wooden ships, piles of wharves, etc. See Teredo.

A pile or assemblage of sheaves of grain, as wheat, rye, or the like, set up in a field, the sheaves varying in number from twelve to sixteen; a stook. And cause it on shocks to be by and by set. Tusser. Behind the master walks, builds up the shocks. Thomson.

An iron socket to protect the point of a wooden pile.

Firm; compact; strong; stable; unyielding; as, a solid pier; a solid pile; a solid wall.

A peg or pin for plugging a hole, as in a cask; a spile.

A large pile of hay, grain, straw, or the like, usually of a nearly conical form, but sometimes rectangular or oblong, contracted at the top to a point or ridge, and sometimes covered with thatch. But corn was housed, and beans were in the stack. Cowper.

A structure of piles driven round the piers of a bridge for protection and support; -- called also sterling. Rose-colored starling. (Zoöl.) See Pastor.

The shearing of a pile of books which are as yet uncovered, or out of boards. Knight.

; wonderful; amazing; especially, astonishing in magnitude or elevation; as, a stupendous pile. "A stupendous sum." Macaulay. All are but parts of one stupendous whole. Pope. -- Stu*pen"dous*ly, adv. -- Stu*pen"dous*ness, n.

A Hindoo widow who immolates herself, or is immolated, on the funeral pile of her husband; -- so called because this act of self- immolation is regarded as envincing excellence of wifely character. [India]