abutment vs pillar

abutment

noun
  • The point of junction between two things, in particular a support, that abuts. 

  • A construction that supports the ends of a bridge; a structure that anchors the cables on a suspension bridge. 

  • The part of a valley or canyon wall against which a dam is constructed. 

  • A fixed point or surface where resistance is obtained. 

  • That element that shares a common boundary or surface with its neighbor. 

  • The solid portion of a structure that supports the lateral pressure of an arch or vault. 

  • The tooth that supports a denture or bridge. 

  • Something that abuts, or on which something abuts. 

  • The state of abutting. 

pillar

noun
  • An essential part of something that provides support. 

  • A portable ornamental column, formerly carried before a cardinal, as emblematic of his support to the church. 

  • A large post, often used as supporting architecture. 

  • The centre of the volta, ring, or manege ground, around which a horse turns. 

  • The body from the hips over the core to the shoulders. 

  • Something resembling such a structure. 

verb
  • To provide with pillars or added strength as if from pillars. 

How often have the words abutment and pillar occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )