Stile \Stile\, n. [OE. stile, AS. stigel a step, a ladder, from
st[=i]gan to ascend; akin to OHG. stigila a stile. [root]164.
See Sty, v. i., and cf. Stair.]
1. A step, or set of steps, for ascending and descending, in
passing a fence or wall.
There comes my master . . . over the stile, this
way. --Shak.
Over this stile in the way to Doubting Castle.
--Bunyan.
2. (Arch.) One of the upright pieces in a frame; one of the
primary members of a frame, into which the secondary
members are mortised.
Note: In an ordinary door the principal upright pieces are
called stiles, the subordinate upright pieces mullions,
and the crosspieces rails. In wainscoting the principal
pieces are sometimes called stiles, even when
horizontal.
Hanging stile, Pulley stile. See under Hanging, and
Pulley.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |