rail

The definition of a rail is a bar that is a barrier or offers support, or a piece of fencing.

(noun)

Rail is defined as to speak or act bitterly or hatefully against.

(verb)

An example of to rail is to give an inflamed speech about a new company policy.

Rail means relating to trains.

(adjective)

An example of rail used as an adjective is in the phrase "rail car" which means a train car.

See rail in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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

Origin: 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

intransitive verb

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

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

Related Forms:

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

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

See rail in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A bar extending horizontally between supports, as in a fence.
b. A structure made of such bars and supports and forming a barrier or guard; a railing.
A steel bar used, usually in pairs, as a track for railroad cars or other wheeled vehicles.
The railroad as a means of transportation: goods transported by rail.
A horizontal framing member in a door or in paneling.

transitive verb railed, rail·ing, rails rails

To supply or enclose with rails or a rail.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English raile

Origin: , from Old French reille

Origin: , from Latin rēgula, straight piece of wood, ruler; see reg- in Indo-European roots

noun

Any of various marsh birds of the family Rallidae, characteristically having brownish plumage and short wings adapted only for short flights.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English raile

Origin: , from Old French raale

Origin: , perhaps from Old French raler, racler, to scrape