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There is no way that someone is going to pier into your window. Not unless a hurricane is involved. Now peering into your window . . . well, now, that just makes them a peeping tom!
Go ahead and peer over this post on “Peer versus Pier” and pore over how a pier may help prop your structure up in this pair of heterographs.
Exploring Later . . .
You may want to explore “Anchorage, Haven, Moorage, and Roadstead“, “Arroyo vs Coulee vs Wadi vs Wash“, “Bay vs Bight vs Cove“, “Bayou vs Bog vs Marsh vs Swamp“, “Beach vs Coast vs Shore“, “Born vs Borne vs Bourn“, “Brook vs Burn vs Draw vs Lick“, “Canal vs Impoundment vs Moat vs Reservoir“, “Cay vs Key vs Quay“, “Channel vs Dyke vs Rill“, “Creak versus Creek“, “Dam versus Damn“, “Delta vs Estuary vs Rapids vs Source“, “Dock vs Pier vs Wharf“, “Firth vs Fjord vs Gulf“, “Harbor vs Marina vs Port vs Quay“, “Lakes: Kettle, Loch, Mere, and Oxbow“, “Ocean versus Sea“, “River vs Stream vs Tributary“, “Rivulet vs Runnel vs Sike“, “Sea versus See“, “Slew versus Slough“, and “Straight versus Strait“.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
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| Peer | Pier |
|---|---|
 — |
 — |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Noun 1; Verb 1; Verb, intransitive 2
Plural for the noun: peers Third person present verb: peers |
Noun
Plural: piers |
| Noun: A member of the nobility in Britain or Ireland, comprising the ranks of duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron 1 A person of the same age, status, or ability as another specified person
A person of the same legal status Something of equal worth or quality [Archaic] A companion
Verb: Verb, intransitive:
|
A platform supported on pillars or girders leading out from the shore into a body of water, used as a landing stage for boats
A support of masonry, steel, or the like designed to sustain vertical pressure, in particular
A square pillar A pillar or post on which a gate or door is hung A long passageway or corridor that extends from a central area of a building, especially one at an airport that leads to boarding gates |
| Examples: | |
| Noun: Peers range from dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons and are hereditary. Peers are entitled to a seat in the House of Lords and exemption from jury service. He has incurred much criticism from his academic peers. He is a musician without peer. He will be tried by a jury of his peers. The peer pressure is so intensive in high school. Verb: When no one answered the door, she peered through the window to see if anyone was there. The driver was peering into the distance trying to read the road sign. Verb, intransitive: The two towers peer over the roofs. “For yet a many of your horsemen peer . . .” Faye peered at her with suspicion. We peered into the windows to see if anyone was home. |
Our boat is moored on Pier 3.
We can fish from the pier. Pier 39 is a must on your list of things to do in San Francisco, with sea lions, waterfront dining, street performers, live music, shopping, and more. This front entrance design features exposed, natural wood beams and massive-looking wood piers. The pilaster assembly is designed to float around the piers, allowing for movement due to freezing and thawing. A deck pier block is a type of footing, a foundation type recognized by building codes. The aisle in this basilica separates the nave from the corridor by the use of piers. While using a pier design does allow a larger number of aircraft to taxi in, it does create a longer distance for passengers to walk. |
| Derivatives: | |
| Adjective: peer-to-peer, peerless Adverb: peeringly Noun: peerage, peeress, peering, |
Noun: underpier |
| History of the Word: | |
|
Middle English is from the medieval Latin pera and of unknown origin. |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Peer versus Pier
Some of these links may be affiliate links, and I will earn a small percentage, if you should buy it. It does not affect the price you pay.
Apple Dictionary.com
Hardy, Thomas. Littell’s Living Age. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015. <https://amzn.to/3Pwr5t6>. Print.
Pinterest Photo Credits:
Docking at the Mountain Lake, <https://visualhunt.com/photo/206633/>, is in the public domain, via VisualHunt. The oversized nose with sunglasses is my own contribution.
Revised as of 17 Apr 2024
By: Kathy Davie