ell

¹

or el

[ el ]

noun

1. an extension usually at right angles to one end of a building.
2. elbow ( def 5 ).
3. something that is L -shaped.

ell

²

[ el ]

noun

1. a former measure of length, varying in different countries: in England equal to 45 inches (114 centimeters).

ell

¹

/ ɛl /

noun

1. an extension to a building, usually at right angles and located at one end
2. a pipe fitting, pipe, or tube with a sharp right-angle bend

ell

²

/ ɛl /

noun

1. an obsolete unit of length equal to approximately 45 inches

Word History and Origins

Origin of ell¹

First recorded in 1765–75; a spelling of the letter name, or by shortening of elbow

Origin of ell²

First recorded before 950; Middle English, Old English eln; cognate with Old Norse eln, Old High German elina, Gothic aleina, Latin ulna, Greek ōlénē. See elbow

Word History and Origins

Origin of ell¹

C20: a spelling of L, indicating a right angle

Origin of ell²

Old English eln the forearm (the measure originally being from the elbow to the fingertips); related to Old High German elina, Latin ulna, Greek ōlenē

Example Sentences

I got halfway across the street and realized: "Effin'ell, I didn't pay!"

From The Daily Beast

An end of the old house had been burned several years before, but the kitchen ell was still standing, with chimney complete.

From Project Gutenberg

Lamb saw an ashen-face bespectacled man peering around the corner of an ell.

From Project Gutenberg

A long ell ran out behind, evidently containing the kitchen and then the sheds and outhouses.

From Project Gutenberg

The side door, on a grape-shadowed porch, was in this ell, facing the barn across the way.

From Project Gutenberg

C(urrer) B(ell) was a thin disguise for C(harlotte) B(ront), but it did not deceive the relatives.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arm
• branch
• circle
• faction
• group
• side
• unit