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ale

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ale

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

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