ruelle

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French ruelle.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɹuːˈɛl/

Noun

ruelle (plural ruelles)

1. (archaic) The space between the bed and the wall.
2. (archaic or historical) A chamber, (especially) as formerly used in France to hold a reception or a literary gathering.
3. (archaic) A private circle; a coterie.

French

Etymology

From rue (“road, street”) +‎ -elle.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʁɥɛl/

• Audio

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɥɛl

Noun

ruelle f (plural ruelles)

1. lane/laneway, alley/alleyway
   • 2015 August 27, “Et pourtant ils créent dans le chaudron de Kinshasa”, in Le Monde‎:

     Au milieu de gravats, dans un semblant atelier aux murs maculés qu’il est créé dans une ruelle jouxtant la maison de son frère, Mika peint tous les jours, avec assiduité, indifférent au glouglou de la marmite et au babil des mômes.

     In the middle of the rubble, in a semblance of a workshop with stained walls which he had set up in an alley next to his brother's house, Mika paints every day, diligently, blind to the bubbling of the stove-pot and the chattering of the children.

2. (archaic) ruelle (a space between bed and wall)
3. (historical) ruelle (a room used to hold literary gatherings)

Further reading

• “ruelle”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé , 2012.