How Do You Spell STILE?

Pronunciation: [stˈa͡ɪl] (IPA)

The word "stile" is spelled with the letters S-T-I-L-E in English. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /staɪl/. The "s" is pronounced as the voiceless alveolar sibilant sound, while the "t" is pronounced as the voiceless alveolar stop. The "i" is pronounced as the diphthong sound "aɪ", and the "l" is pronounced as the voiced alveolar lateral approximant sound. "Stile" can refer to a step or series of steps used to climb over a fence or wall, or a vertical piece in a window frame.

STILE Meaning and Definition

  1. A stile is a fixture or structure commonly found in the countryside used to facilitate pedestrian access over a fence or other barrier while preventing the passage of livestock. It typically consists of a series of horizontal steps or bars, each one lower than the previous, which allows a person to step over the barrier while maintaining a degree of difficulty for animals. Stiles are often made of wood, metal, or stone and are strategically positioned in areas where footpaths or roads intersect with fencing.

    The purpose of a stile is to enable people to cross a boundary, such as a field or garden enclosure, without the need to open a gate or climb over the fence. This feature proves to be particularly useful in rural landscapes where there is a prevalence of farmland or private property. Stiles are a common sight on hiking trails, nature reserves, and country walks, providing a convenient way for walkers to traverse boundaries while ensuring livestock or other animals remain contained within their designated areas.

    Furthermore, stiles serve to prevent damage to fences or gates that might be caused by frequent opening and closing, as well as helping to preserve the privacy and security of landowners. They are typically built to be sturdy and designed to withstand weather conditions, ensuring their longevity and effectiveness. Overall, stiles are practical and necessary components in rural landscapes, providing a practical solution for both humans and animals needing to navigate fences and barriers.

  2. A series of rude steps for getting over a wall or fence.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for STILE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for STILE

Etymology of STILE

The word "stile" has its origins in Old English. It comes from the Old English word "stigel", which meant a "steep ascent" or "steps". This Old English word ultimately derives from the Proto-Germanic word "stīgila", meaning "steep path" or "stairway". Interestingly, the word "stile" has the same etymological root as the word "stair", since both ultimately trace back to this Proto-Germanic word. Over time, "stile" came to specifically refer to a set of steps or ladder-like structure used for crossing over fences or walls.

Idioms with the word STILE

  • help a lame dog over a stile The idiom "help a lame dog over a stile" means to assist someone who doesn't really need help or to offer unnecessary assistance to someone who is capable of managing the situation on their own. It suggests providing aid or support to someone or something that doesn't require it, thereby wasting time or resources.

Similar spelling words for STILE

Plural form of STILE is STILES

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