ruelle

noun

ru·​elle
(ˈ)rü¦el
plural -s
1
archaic : the space between a bed and the wall
2
: a morning reception held in their bedrooms by fashionable French ladies of the 17th and 18th centuries
3
: a narrow street or alley
the smaller ruelles were in pitch-darknessDonald Stokes

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ruel, from Middle French ruele, literally, alley, diminutive of rue street, from Latin ruga wrinkle, fold

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruelle was in the 15th century

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near ruelle

Cite this Entry

“Ruelle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruelle. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!