Ale Definition

āl

ales

noun

A usually full-bodied beer that has been fermented at a relatively warm temperature.

American Heritage

A fermented drink made from malt, hops, and yeast, like beer, but by rapid fermentation at a relatively high temperature.

Webster's New World

A serving of this beer.

American Heritage

A usually full-bodied beer that has been fermented at a relatively warm temperature.

American Heritage

A serving of this beer.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Ale

Singular:

ale

Plural:

Old English ealu, ealo, from Proto-Germanic *aluþ (compare Dutch aal, Swedish öl), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂elu- ‘bitter’. Compare Latin alum (“comfrey”), alūta (“tawed leather”), Polish (Eastern) jełki, iłki (“rancid”), Ancient Greek ἀλύδοιμος (aludoimos, “bitter”), and Albanian all (“of reddish colour”)

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old English ealu, alu alu- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English from Old English ealu, alu alu- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition