Definitions
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. . The space between a bed and the wall.
- n. Hence, a bedchamber in which persons of quality, especially ladies, in France during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries held receptions in the morning, to which persons distinguished for learning, wit, etc., as well as those constituting society, were invited; hence, such a reception, where the events of the day, etc., were discussed. In the seventeenth century the character of the ruelles was distinctively literary and artistic; but in the following century they degenerated into mere occasions for gossip and frivolity.
Wiktionary
- n. The space between the bed and the wall.
- n. A chamber, especially as formerly used in France to hold a reception or a literary gathering.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. A private circle or assembly at a private house; a circle.
Examples
“The ruelle is the little path between the bedside and the wall.”
“The King, wishing to retire, went and fed his dogs; then said good night, passed into his chamber to the 'ruelle' of his bed, where he said his prayers, as in the morning, then undressed.”
“A quiet ruelle in the village of Visan, recently featured in Cinéma Vérité.”
“I am sure that your chance stroll down "sa ruelle" gave her as much pleasure as your story as brought to all of us.”
“* References: Massif des Maures = local mountain range; "La Voisine" means "neighbor" -- meet mine via her knitting blog; une ruelle (f) = narrow street; une arbouse (f) = arbutus-berry [from the wild strawberry tree]”
“Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) "Impasse ou La ruelle (Le Cannet)" 1925”
“*References: Massif des Maures = local mountain range; "La Voisine" means "neighbor" -- meet mine via her knitting blog; une ruelle (f) = narrow street; une arbouse (f) = arbutus-berry from the wild strawberry tree”
“Super tasty lunch, please come back soon to our new ruelle.”
“A number of plates were found in the ruelle of his bed after his death.”
The Entire Memoirs of Louis XIV and the Regency
“Here the grand objects are not to besiege Ministers, nor give a "ton" to the protege at a fashionable ruelle, but to obtain for him the solid advantages of what she calls _ "un bon parti.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘ruelle’.
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cicatrix
scar tissue
minatory, naira, Cluniac, embracive, prolix, hierophant, timorous, adduce, veracious, dysphoric, sang-froid, vitiate and 414 more...
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Words of the day
The list of Wordnik words of the day.
panurgic, chapfallen, billingsgate, latration, witticaster, slitheroo, rux, crotchet, mirliton, arenose, ruelle, jane-of-apes and 76 more...
grant_barrett This word was chosen as Wordnik word of the day. Nov 11, 2009
gangerh "Oh, he got out of the ruelle side of the bed today." Aug 25, 2009
mollusque My sister and I called in Narnia when we were kids. Aug 25, 2009
hernesheir I told my kids that the space between the bed and the wall is called the spider crack. Aug 24, 2009
zombiesam from OED:
The space between a bed and the wall; the part of a bed next the wall. Aug 24, 2009
pavonine A private assembly;a select social gathering Nov 5, 2007