Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Stile?

\Stile\, n. [See {Style}.] 1. A pin set on the face of a dial, to cast a shadow; a style. See {Style}. --Moxon. 2. Mode of composition. See {Style}. [Obs.] May I not write in such a stile as this? --Bunyan.
\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}.