aisle

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
  2. noun passageway between seating areas as in an auditorium or passenger vehicle or between areas of shelves of goods as in stores
  3. noun part of a church divided laterally from the nave proper by rows of pillars or columns

Etymology

From Middle English ele, from Middle French aisle (“wing”) (Modern French aile), from Latin āla (whence English ala). Further from Latin axis (whence English axis, atelier). Via Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- cognate with English axle, Ancient Greek ἄξων (áxōn) (whence English axo-, axon).

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