rail

rail

rail¹ [rāl]

n.

[ME raile < OFr reille < L regula,RULE]

1. a bar of wood, metal, etc. placed horizontally between upright posts to serve as a barrier or support

2. a fence or railing; specif., the fence surrounding the infield of a racetrack

3. any of a series of parallel metal bars laid upon crossties or in the ground to make a track for railroad cars, streetcars, etc.

4. a railroad or railway as a means of transportation [to travel by rail]

5. a horizontal piece of wood separating the panels in doors or wainscoting

6. the rim of a billiard table

7. Naut. a narrow, wooden or metal piece forming the top of a ship's bulwarks

vt.

to supply with rails or a railing; fence

adj.

of or pertaining to a railway or railroad

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(go) off the rails

1. (to go) off the proper course

2. (to become) insane

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☆ ride on a rail

to place on a rail and carry out of the community: extralegal punishment in which the victim was usually tarred and feathered beforehand

rail² [rāl]

vi.

[ME raylen < MFr < railler < Prov ralhar < VL * ragulare, to bray < LL ragere, to bellow]

to speak bitterly or reproachfully; complain violently: with against, at, or about

railer

n.

rail³ [rāl]

n.

pl. rails or rail [ME rayle < MFr raale < raaler, to screech, rattle < VL * rasclare, to grate: orig. echoic]

any of a number of gruiform marsh birds (family Rallidae), characterized by short wings and tail, long toes, and a harsh cry