Stile

//staɪl// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A set of one or more steps surmounting a fence or wall, or a narrow gate or contrived passage through a fence or wall, which in either case allows people but not livestock to pass.

    "'Twas very true what Greening said; for of a summer evening I would take the path that led up Weatherbeech Hill, behind the Manor; both because 'twas a walk that had a good prospect in itself, and also a sweet charm for me, namely, the hope of seeing Grace Maskew. And there I often sat upon the stile that ends the path and opens on the down, and watched the old half-ruined house below; and sometimes saw white-frocked Gracie walking on the terrace in the evening sun, and sometimes in returning passed her window near enough to wave a greeting."

  2. 2
    Obsolete form of style. alt-of, obsolete

    "May I not write in such a ſtile as this? / In ſuch a method too, and yet not miſs / Mine end, thy good? why may it not be done?"

  3. 3
    an upright that is a member in a door or window frame wordnet
  4. 4
    A vertical component of a frame or panel, such as that of a door, window, or ladder.
Verb
  1. 1
    Obsolete form of style. alt-of, obsolete

    "They are graciously and lovingly received, the Mayor hath thanks for his late bloody Act, which was stiled and excellent piece of Justice"

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English stile, style, stiȝele, from Old English stiġel (“stile, set of steps for getting over a fence”), from Proto-West Germanic *stigilu, from Proto-Germanic *stigilō (“entry, entrance, overpass, device for climbing, stile”), equivalent to sty (“to ascend, climb”) + -le. Cognate with Dutch stegel (“stirrup”), Low German Stegel (“stile”), German Stiegel (“stile”).

Etymology 2

See the etymology at style.

Etymology 3

See the etymology at style.

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