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ell

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

ell a former measure of length (equivalent to six hand breadths) used mainly for textiles, locally variable but typically about 45 inches in England and 37 inches in Scotland.

The word is recorded from Old English (in form eln) and is of Germanic origin, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin ulna (‘humerus’). Like the cubit, the measure was originally linked to the length of the human arm or forearm.
give someone an inch and they will take an ell undue advantage will be taken of a slight concession (saying recorded from the mid 17th century).

See also a miss is as good as a mile.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "ell." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "ell." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-ell.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "ell." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-ell.html

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ell

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

ell measure of length (in England 45 inches). OE. eln = MDu. elne, elle (Du. el), OHG. elina (G. elle), ON. ǫln (aln-) cubit, ell, forearm, Goth. aleina cubit :- Gmc. *alīnǒ, orig. ‘(fore)arm’; cogn. with L. ULNA, Gr. ōlénē, ōlḗn ELBOW, OIr. u(i)len, W. elin, Skr. aratní-, etc.

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T. F. HOAD. "ell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "ell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-ell.html

T. F. HOAD. "ell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-ell.html

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ell

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture | 2000 | | Copyright

ell.
1. Measure of length, in England once 45 inches.

2. Extension or wing added at right angles to the principal direction of the original building in the USA.

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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "ell." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "ell." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-ell.html

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "ell." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-ell.html

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ell

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

ell •Adele, Aix-la-Chapelle, aquarelle, artel, au naturel, bagatelle, béchamel, befell, bell, belle, boatel, Brunel, Cadell, carousel, cartel, cell, Chanel, chanterelle, clientele, Clonmel, compel, Cornell, crime passionnel, dell, demoiselle, dispel, dwell, el, ell, Estelle, excel, expel, farewell, fell, Fidel, fontanelle, foretell, Gabrielle, gazelle, gel, Giselle, hell, hotel, impel, knell, lapel, mademoiselle, maître d'hôtel, Manuel, marcel, matériel, mesdemoiselles, Michel, Michelle, Miguel, misspell, morel, moschatel, Moselle, motel, muscatel, nacelle, Nell, Nobel, Noel, organelle, outsell, Parnell, pell-mell, personnel, propel, quell, quenelle, rappel, Raquel, Ravel, rebel, repel, Rochelle, Sahel, sardelle, sell, shell, show-and-tell, smell, Snell, spell, spinel, swell, tell, undersell, vielle, villanelle, well, yell •Buñuel • Pachelbel • handbell •barbell • harebell • decibel • doorbell •cowbell • bluebell • Annabel •mirabelle • Christabel • Jezebel •Isabel, Isobel •nutshell • infidel • asphodel •zinfandel • Grenfell • Hillel • parallel •Cozumel • caramel • Fresnel •pimpernel • pipistrelle • Tricel •filoselle

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"ell." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-ell.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	ELLs: children left behind in science class.(English Language Learners ) Magazine article from: Academic Exchange Quarterly; 9/22/2004
	ELL testing: a state of Flux: districts grapple with federal mandates and... Magazine article from: District Administration; 10/1/2007
	ELL spoken here: online resources and educator networks are providing... Magazine article from: T H E Journal (Technological Horizons In Education); 4/1/2008