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rail1 definition

rail (rāl)

noun

  1. a bar of wood, metal, etc. placed horizontally between upright posts to serve as a barrier or support
  2. a fence or railing; specif., the fence surrounding the infield of a racetrack
  3. any of a series of parallel metal bars laid upon crossties or in the ground to make a track for railroad cars, streetcars, etc.
  4. a railroad or railway as a means of transportation to travel by rail
  5. a horizontal piece of wood separating the panels in doors or wainscoting
  6. the rim of a billiard table
  7. Naut. a narrow, wooden or metal piece forming the top of a ship's bulwarks

Etymology: ME raile < OFr reille < L regula, rule

transitive verb

to supply with rails or a railing; fence

adjective

of or pertaining to a railway or railroad
rail Idioms

(go) off the rails

  1. (to go) off the proper course
  2. (to become) insane

ride on a rail

☆
to place on a rail and carry out of the community: extralegal punishment in which the victim was usually tarred and feathered beforehand
rail2 definition

rail (rāl)

intransitive verb

to speak bitterly or reproachfully; complain violently: with against, at, or about

Etymology: ME raylen < MFr < railler < Prov ralhar < VL *ragulare, to bray < LL ragere, to bellow

Related Forms:

rail3 definition

rail (rāl)

noun pl. rails or rail

any of a number of gruiform marsh birds (family Rallidae), characterized by short wings and tail, long toes, and a harsh cry

Etymology: ME rayle < MFr raale < raaler, to screech, rattle < VL *rasclare, to grate: orig. echoic

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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TopicRepliesLatest Post
rail/on the rail (carnival)26 years ago

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