Ale
/eɪl/noun
An alcoholic drink made by fermenting malted grain, traditionally using warm-fermenting yeast.
Did you know?In early medieval Europe, ale was commonly brewed in domestic settings, and brewing could be associated with women’s household expertise and seasonal ritual practices.
Etymological Timeline
Possibly 2nd millennium BCE or earlier
PIE
*alu(t)-
“A reconstructed term possibly connected with an intoxicating drink; this proposed root is uncertain.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*aluþ
“A fermented or intoxicating drink.”
c. 700–1100
Old English
ealu / ealo
“Ale or fermented malt drink.”
c. 1150–1400
Middle English
ale
“A fermented alcoholic drink, especially one made from malt.”
Modern English
English
ale
“A malt-based alcoholic beverage traditionally fermented with top-fermenting yeast.”