stile

[ stahyl ]

noun

a series of steps or rungs by means of which a person may pass over a wall or fence that remains a barrier to sheep or cattle.
a turnstile.

Origin of stile

before 900; Middle English; Old English stigel, derivative of stīgan to climb, cognate with German steigen

Words that may be confused with stile

stile , style

Words Nearby stile

Other definitions for stile (2 of 2)

stile²

[ stahyl ]

nounCarpentry, Furniture.

any of various upright members framing panels or the like, as in a system of paneling, a paneled door, window sash, or chest of drawers.: Compare rail¹ (def. 8).

Origin of stile

1670–80; perhaps <Dutch stijl (door-, bed-) post, strut

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use stile in a sentence

There was also a statement by a parent, Francis stile, whose two daughters attended the school.
The First Modern School Shooter Feels Responsible for the Rest | Michael Daly | May 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
As there was a stile near, leading into a field, they all got over the stile, and thus passed the geese.
The Nursery, July 1873, Vol. XIV. No. 1 | Various
As she proceeded up the lane, she paused at the stile where she and Gilbert had held their last conversation.
The World Before Them | Susanna Moodie
Thinking it might be only kind to step into the clerk's, he crossed the stile and went in without ceremony by the open back-door.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry Wood
After dinner we all went to the Church stile, and there eat and drank, and I was as merry as I could counterfeit myself to be.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete | Samuel Pepys

He left some money when he went away, and one of the children saw him cross the stile into the next field.
A Thin Ghost and Others | M. R. (Montague Rhodes) James

British Dictionary definitions for stile (1 of 2)

stile¹

/ (staɪl) /

noun

a set of steps or rungs in a wall or fence to allow people, but not animals, to pass over
short for turnstile

Origin of stile

Old English stigel; related to stīgan to climb, Old High German stigilla; see stair

British Dictionary definitions for stile (2 of 2)

stile²

/ (staɪl) /

noun

a vertical framing member in a door, window frame, or piece of panelling: Compare rail 1 (def. 3)

Origin of stile

C17: probably from Dutch stijl pillar, ultimately from Latin stilus writing instrument; see style

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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