alestake

See also: ale-stake

English

Etymology

Noun

alestake (plural alestakes)

(historical) A stake or pole serving as a sign at an alehouse or inn, often with a garland or "bush" attached.

Usage notes

The alestake of medieval taverns was mounted horizontally from the wall of the building.[1] The term is not in current use. Modern aleposts can be set vertically in the ground or be attached horizontally to the pub and carry a painted sign rather than a garland.

Alternative forms

ale-stake, ale stake

Synonyms

References

Walter William Skeat, Chaucer's Works, notes on the prologue to the Cantebury Tales.

Anagrams

Eastlake

Middle English

Noun

alestake (plural alestakes)

alestake
- 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Prologues”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC:
  And knew hir conseil, and was al hir reed.
  A gerland hadde he set upon his heed
  As greet as it were for an ale-stake;
  A bokeleer hadde he maad him of a cake.
  (please add an English translation of this quotation)

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[1] Walter William Skeat, Chaucer's Works, notes on the prologue to the Cantebury Tales.