pier-glassn.
/ˈpɪəɡlɑːs/, /ˈpɪəɡlas/, U.S. /ˈpɪrˌɡlæs/ A large mirror, originally one fitted in the space between two windows, or over a chimney piece. Cf. pier n.1 2b.
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the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > mirror > [noun] > wall or chimney mirror
pier-glass1703
pier1709
pier looking-glass1725
chimney-glass1809
pier mirror1845
mirror-wall1881
console-mirror1882
over-glass1883
trumeau mirror1883
1703 London Gaz. No. 3889/4 Lost..7 Peer Glasses, 2 in black Frames, and 5 in Japan'd Frames with cross Bars.
1742 H. Mann Let. 21 Jan. in H. Walpole Corr. (1954) XVII. 283 Poor Mr St John..wanted to make me a present of some pier glasses.
1805 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. 3 655 It begins to be fashionable to place in front of every pier-glass a marble guardian.
1872 J. Payn Bred in Bone v. 16/2 Even when the Squire had lit the candles upon the mantle-piece, and those which clustered on either side of the great pier-glass, the darkness did but give place to a sort of shining gloom.
1922 S. Lewis Babbitt viii. 110 He stood before the pier-glass, viewing his trim dinner-coat.
2004 Daily Mail (Nexis) 10 June 25 The pieces..range from ornamented giltwood pier-glasses to plain mahogany pieces for domestic use.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1703