| aisle | A lateral division of a building, separated from the middle part, called the nave, by a row of columns or piers, which support the roof or an upper wall containing windows, called the clearstory wall. Improperly used also for the have; as in the phrases, a church with three aisles, the middle aisle. Also (perhaps from confusion with alley), a passage into which the pews of a church open. Origin: OF. Ele, F. Aile, wing, wing of a building, L. Ala, contr. Fr. Axilla. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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