Aisle

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /aɪ̯l/,
• Rhymes: -aɪl
• Homophones: I'll, isle

Origin

Middle French aisle (Modern French aile) from Latin ala.

Noun

1. A wing of a building, notably in a church separated from the nave proper by piers.
• 1907, w, The Dust of Conflict Chapter 20, Hester Earle and Violet Wayne were moving about the aisle with bundles of wheat-ears and streamers of ivy, for the harvest thanksgiving was shortly to be celebrated, while the vicar stood waiting for their directions on the chancel steps with a great handful of crimson gladioli.
• 1956, w, Crime out of Mind Chapter 13, In one of the aisles there was an elaborately carved confessional box and I recognised the village priest in his heavy mountain boots and black cassock as he entered it and drew the dark velvet curtains behind him.
2. A clear path through rows of seating.
3. A clear corridor in a supermarket with shelves on both sides containing goods for sale.
4. Any path through an otherwise obstructed space.

Synonyms

• (path senses) isle

Derived terms

Anagrams

• Elias
• saile