Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Ale
Ale
(āl)
, Noun.
[AS.
ealu
, akin to Icel., Sw., and Dan. öl
, Lith. alus
a kind of beer, OSlav. olŭ
beer. Cf. Ir. ol
drink, drinking.] 1.
An intoxicating liquor made from an infusion of malt by fermentation and the addition of a bitter, usually hops.
☞ The word ale, in England and the United States, usually designates a heavier kind of fermented liquor, and the word beer a lighter kind. The word beer is also in common use as the generic name for all malt liquors.
2.
A festival in English country places, so called from the liquor drunk.
“At wakes and ales.” B. Jonson.
“On ember eves and holy ales.” Shak.
Webster 1828 Edition
Ale
ALE
, n.1.
A liquor made from an infusion of malt by fermentation. It differs from beer, in having a smaller proportion of hops. It is of different sorts, chiefly pale and brown; the first made from malt slightly dried; the second, from malt more considerably dried or roasted. Ale was the common drink of the ancient inhabitants of Europe. It is usually made with barley; but sometimes with wheat, rye, millet, oats, &c.2.
A merry meeting in English country places, so called from the liquor drank.Medicated Ales are those which are prepared for medicinal purposes, by an infusion of herbs during fermentation.