English
alley
Alley comes from Middle English aleye ‘an alleyway’, and goes back to Anglo-Norman aleie.
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400aleie
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500aleye‘an alleyway’
- Englishearliest quotation 1634alley
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400aleie
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500aleye‘an alleyway’
- Englishearliest quotation 1634alley
Earliest quotation: 1634, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle: “I know each lane and every alley green.”
Every English word from Anglo-Norman aleie
Today it means
noun A narrow street or passageway, especially one through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots of buildings.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Anglo-Norman aleie / alley