Ale (āl), n. [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.
&fist; 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.
Hear it pronounced