alley

alley

alley¹ [al′ē]

n.

pl. alleys [ME aly < OFr alee < aler (Fr aller), to go < ML alare, contr. < L ambulare, to walk: see AMBLE]

1. a lane in a garden or park, bordered by trees or shrubs

2. a narrow street or walk, specif., a lane behind or alongside a row of buildings or between two rows of buildings that face on adjacent streets

3. Baseball the part of the outfield between center field and either left field or right field: also power alley

4. Bowling LANE¹ (senses 6a & b)

5. Tennis either of the narrow lanes, on opposite sides of the court, that extend the singles area for playing doubles

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☆ up someone's alley or down someone's alley

Slang suited to someone's tastes or abilities

alley² [al′ē]

n.

pl. alleys [< ALABASTER, formerly used for marbles]

a fine marble used as the shooter in playing marbles