rail
UK: reɪl | US: reɪl
n. a bar or series of bars fixed on upright supports, serving as a barrier or support
n. the system of tracks used for trains
vt. to complain or protest strongly
vt. to enclose or separate with rails
No data yet.
The word "rail" traces back to Old French reille (iron bar), derived from Latin regula (straight stick, rule). Over time, it evolved to denote barriers, tracks, and metaphorical "barriers" in speech (e.g., "railing against" something). Its compact structure reflects its ancient Germanic/Latin roots without separable morphemes in modern English.
The bird perched on the garden rail.
High-speed trains require well-maintained rails.
Critics rail against the government’s new policy.
They decided to rail off the construction area.
His speech was a passionate rail against injustice.