Stile , n. [OE. stile, AS. stigel a step, a ladder, from stīgan to ascend; akin to OHG. stigila a stile. √164. See Sty, v. i., and cf. Stair.]
1. A step, or set of steps, for ascending and descending, in passing a
fence or wall.
There comes my master . . . over the stile, this way.
Shak. Over this stile in the way to Doubting Castle.
Bunyan.
2. (Arch.) One of the upright pieces in a frame; one of the primary members of a frame, into
which the secondary members are
mortised.
&fist; In
an ordinary door the principal upright pieces
are called stiles, the subordinate upright
pieces mullions, and the
crosspieces rails. In wainscoting the principal pieces are sometimes called stiles, even when horizontal.
Hanging stile, Pulley stile. See under Hanging, and Pulley.
Stile (?), n. [See Style.]
1. A pin set on the face of a dial, to cast
a shadow; a
style. See Style. Moxon.
2. Mode of composition. See Style. [Obs.]
May I not write in
such a stile as this?
Bunyan.
Hear it pronounced