Ell

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

English (IPA): /ɛl/

British English: /ɛl/

American English: /ɛl/

Definitions

• A historical unit of length, traditionally used in Europe, varying between approximately 45 cm (18 inches) and 114 cm (45 inches) depending on the region.
• A measure used in textile industries for cloth length.

Usage Examples

• "The merchant measured out an ell of fabric for the tailor."
• "In medieval England, the ell was a standard measure for wool and linen."

Etymology

Derived from Middle English "elle," from Old English "eln," meaning "cubit" or "forearm," related to the Latin "ulna" (forearm, elbow).

Synonyms

• Cubit
• Yardstick (in some historical contexts)
• Fathom (in relation to measuring length)

Antonyms

• Metric system units (e.g., meter, centimeter)
• Modern standardized units

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /ɛl/
• American English: /ɛl/

Historical Usage

The ell was widely used in medieval Europe for measuring fabric. Different regions had different lengths of an ell, such as the Scottish ell (94 cm), the Flemish ell (68 cm), and the English ell (114 cm).

Cultural Nuances

In many cultures, the ell was closely related to the measurement of the human arm or cubit, making it an intuitive length standard for trade and textiles.

More Information

The ell gradually fell out of use with the adoption of the metric system and modern standardized measurements. However, it remains an important historical unit of measurement in textile history and antique trade practices.