Main Entry:

ale

Pronunciation:

\ˈāl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English ealu; akin to Old Norse ǫl ale, Lithuanian alus

Date:

before 12th century

1 : an alcoholic beverage brewed especially by rapid fermentation from an infusion of malt with the addition of hops 2 : an English country festival at which ale is the principal beverage