Aisles

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /aɪlz/

Definitions

1. Passageways within a structure, usually bordered by rows of seats or shelves, provide movement and access
2. Designated walkways in venues or stores help individuals navigate between product displays or seating arrangements
3. Narrow passageways flanked by rows of seats or goods to enable easy movement within a space

Etymology: The walkway between seats in a church, theatre or aeroplane is named after a wing. Middle English "ele" came from Anglo-Norman "ele", meaning "wing", which descends from Latin "āla", the word that also gave English "ala". That Latin "āla" is related to "axis", so the wing and the axle share a distant ancestor in the same ancient root. The sense of wing became a sense of a side portion of a building, and from there a passage running alongside the main body of a church. The word was spelled and pronounced under the influence of "isle", which was an older form of the word, so the sound now resembles "isle" even though the word has nothing to do with islands. The "s" in "aisles" simply marks the plural, and the noun itself is the one described above.

Synonyms: passages, walkways, corridors