Ell: Difference between revisions
imported>Beland m convert special characters found by Wikipedia:Typo Team/moss (via WP:JWB) |
imported>Ralph Corderoy Clarify: there was only one usual length, not two; that the quarter is of a yard. |
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{{Short description|Unit of length}} | {{Short description|Unit of length}} | ||
{{ | {{Redirect|Aune|the surname|Aune (surname)|the letter|L|other uses|Ell (disambiguation)}} | ||
{{more footnotes|date=November 2022}} | {{more footnotes|date=November 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox unit | {{Infobox unit | ||
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| extralabel = | | extralabel = | ||
| extradata = | | extradata = | ||
| units_imp1 = | | units_imp1 = inch | ||
| inunits_imp1 = | | inunits_imp1 = 17.7 | ||
| units_imp2 = Metre | | units_imp2 = Metre | ||
| inunits_imp2 = | | inunits_imp2 = 0.45 | ||
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An '''ell''' (from [[Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic]] *''alinō'', cognate with [[Latin]] ''[[ulna]]'')<ref>[http://www.oed.com/viewdictionaryentry/Entry/60511 "ell, n.1"]. OED Online. December 2011. Oxford University Press. (accessed February 20, 2012).</ref> is a northwestern European [[Units of measurement|unit of measurement]], originally understood as a [[cubit]] (the combined length of the forearm and extended hand). The word literally means "arm", and survives in the modern English word "elbow" (arm-bend). Later usage through the 19th century refers to several longer units,<ref name="The Diagonal">{{cite book|title=The Diagonal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BudNAAAAYAAJ&q=%22the+ell+was+originally+the+same+measure+as+the+cubit%22&pg=PA98|access-date=6 February 2012|year=1920|publisher=Yale University Press|page=98}}</ref><ref name="LewisKingery1918">{{cite book|author1=Charlton Thomas Lewis|author2=Hugh Macmaster Kingery|title=An elementary Latin dictionary|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_2ncKAAAAIAAJ|quote=forearm, ell, cubit.|access-date=6 February 2012|year=1918|publisher=American book company|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_2ncKAAAAIAAJ/page/n204 198]}}</ref> some of which are thought to derive from a "double ell".<ref name="Boston.)1857">{{cite book|author=James Robinson (of Boston.)|title=The American elementary arithmetic|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=klYMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA94|access-date=6 February 2012|year=1857|publisher=J.P. Jewett & co.|page=94}}</ref><ref name="O'Gorman1853">{{cite book|author=Daniel O'Gorman|title=Intuitive calculations; the readiest and most concise methods|url=https://archive.org/details/intuitivecalcul00ogogoog|access-date=6 February 2012|year=1853|page=[https://archive.org/details/intuitivecalcul00ogogoog/page/n54 48]}}</ref> | An '''ell''' (from [[Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic]] *''alinō'', cognate with [[Latin]] ''[[ulna]]'')<ref>[http://www.oed.com/viewdictionaryentry/Entry/60511 "ell, n.1"]. OED Online. December 2011. Oxford University Press. (accessed February 20, 2012).</ref> is a northwestern European [[Units of measurement|unit of measurement]], originally understood as a [[cubit]] (the combined length of the forearm and extended hand). The word literally means "arm", and survives in the modern English word "elbow" (arm-bend). Later usage through the 19th century refers to several longer units,<ref name="The Diagonal">{{cite book|title=The Diagonal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BudNAAAAYAAJ&q=%22the+ell+was+originally+the+same+measure+as+the+cubit%22&pg=PA98|access-date=6 February 2012|year=1920|publisher=Yale University Press|page=98}}</ref><ref name="LewisKingery1918">{{cite book|author1=Charlton Thomas Lewis|author2=Hugh Macmaster Kingery|title=An elementary Latin dictionary|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_2ncKAAAAIAAJ|quote=forearm, ell, cubit.|access-date=6 February 2012|year=1918|publisher=American book company|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_2ncKAAAAIAAJ/page/n204 198]}}</ref> some of which are thought to derive from a "double ell".<ref name="Boston.)1857">{{cite book|author=James Robinson (of Boston.)|title=The American elementary arithmetic|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=klYMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA94|access-date=6 February 2012|year=1857|publisher=J.P. Jewett & co.|page=94}}</ref><ref name="O'Gorman1853">{{cite book|author=Daniel O'Gorman|title=Intuitive calculations; the readiest and most concise methods|url=https://archive.org/details/intuitivecalcul00ogogoog|access-date=6 February 2012|year=1853|page=[https://archive.org/details/intuitivecalcul00ogogoog/page/n54 48]}}</ref> | ||
An '''ell-wand''' or '''ellwand''' was a rod of length one ell used for official measurement. | An '''ell-wand''' or '''ellwand''' was a rod of length one ell used for official measurement. [[Edward I of England]] required that every town have one. In Scotland, the [[Belt of Orion]] was called "the King's Ellwand".<ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/brewers/ell-wand.html infoplease.com], ''OED'' ''s.'' Ell-wand.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/89685.html |title=The measurements of cricket |author=AR Littlewood |publisher=ESPN cricinfo |access-date=2007-11-10 |archive-date=2007-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112165502/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/89685.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> An iron ellwand is preserved in the entrance to [[Stånga Church]] on the Swedish island of [[Gotland]], indicating the role that rural churches had in disseminating uniform measures.<ref name=stanga>{{cite book |last= Andrén|first= Anders|language=sv|title= Det Medeltida Gotland. En arkeologisk guidebok|trans-title=Medieval Gotland. An archaeological guidebook|year= 2017|edition=2nd |location=Lund |publisher=Historiska Media |page=206|isbn= 978-91-7545-476-4}}</ref> | ||
Several national forms existed, with different lengths, including the [[#Scots|Scottish ell]] {{nowrap|(≈{{convert|37|in|cm|0|disp=or}})}}, the [[ | Several national forms existed, with different lengths, including the [[#Scots|Scottish ell]] {{nowrap|(≈{{convert|37|in|cm|0|disp=or}})}}, the [[Dutch units of measurement#El|Flemish]] ell [el] {{nowrap|1=(≈{{convert|27|in|cm|1|disp=or|abbr=on}})}}, the [[Traditional French units of measurement|French]] ell [aune] {{nowrap|1=(≈{{convert|54|in|cm|1|disp=or|abbr=on}})}},<ref name="Brayshaws">Brayshaw, Tom S., ed. ''Brayshaw's Mathematical Desk Companion''. Chesterfield, England: Thomas Brayshaw Ltd., Edition 16, 1955</ref> the [[Polish units of measurement|Polish]] ell {{nowrap|(≈{{convert|31|in|cm|1|disp=or|abbr=on}})}}, the [[Danish units of measurement#Length|Danish]] alen {{nowrap|(24 Danish inches or 2 Danish fod: 62.7708 cm)}}, the [[Swedish units of measurement|Swedish]] aln {{nowrap|(2 Swedish fot 59.38 cm)}}, and the [[German units of measurement|German]] ell [{{lang|de|Elle}}], which was different lengths in Frankfurt (54.7 cm), Cologne, Leipzig ([[Kingdom of Saxony|Saxony]]), and Hamburg. | ||
Select customs were observed by English [[import]]ers of Dutch [[textiles]]; although all cloths were bought by the Flemish ell, [[linen]] was sold by the English ell, but [[tapestry]] was sold by the Flemish ell.<ref name="Brayshaws"/> | Select customs were observed by English [[import]]ers of Dutch [[textiles]]; although all cloths were bought by the Flemish ell, [[linen]] was sold by the English ell, but [[tapestry]] was sold by the Flemish ell.<ref name="Brayshaws"/> | ||
The Viking ell was the measure from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, about {{convert|18|in}}. The Viking or primitive ell was used in Iceland up to the 13th century. By the 13th century, a law set the "stika" as equal to two ells, which | The Viking ell was the measure from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, about {{convert|18|in}}. The Viking or primitive ell was used in Iceland up to the 13th century. By the 13th century, a law set the "stika" as equal to two ells, which referred to the English ell.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Nancy Marie Brown |year=2007 |title=The Far Traveller: Voyages of a Viking Woman |publisher=Harcourt |pages=236, 276 |oclc=85822467}}</ref> | ||
== Historic use == | == Historic use == | ||
=== England === | === England === | ||
In England, the ell was usually | In England, the ell was usually one-and-a-quarter yards, which is {{convert|45|in|m|3|abbr=on}}. It was mainly used in the [[tailoring]] business but is now obsolete. Although the exact length was never defined in English law, standards were kept; the brass ell examined at the [[Exchequer]] by Graham in the 1740s had been in use "since the time of Queen Elizabeth."<ref name=knight>{{cite book|last=Knight|first=Charles|title=The Penny magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, Volume 9|year=1840|publisher=Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge|location=London|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-BHnAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> | ||
Other English measures called an ell include the "yard and handful" | Other English measures called an ell include the "yard and handful," or the 40 inch ell, abolished in 1439; the yard and inch, or the 37 inch ell (a cloth measure), abolished after 1553, later known as the [[Scotch ell]] {{Convert|37.06|in|m}}; and the cloth ell of 45 inches, used until 1600.<ref name=enbrit_ell>Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "[[Wikisource:1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Weights and Measures|Weights and Measures]]" (free fulltext), from the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition|Encyclopædia Britannica]]''. Vol. 01 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.</ref> See [[yard]] for details. | ||
===Scots=== | ===Scots=== | ||
Latest revision as of 11:55, 31 December 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "redirect hatnote". Template:More footnotes Template:Infobox unit
An ell (from Proto-Germanic *alinō, cognate with Latin ulna)[1] is a northwestern European unit of measurement, originally understood as a cubit (the combined length of the forearm and extended hand). The word literally means "arm", and survives in the modern English word "elbow" (arm-bend). Later usage through the 19th century refers to several longer units,[2][3] some of which are thought to derive from a "double ell".[4][5]
An ell-wand or ellwand was a rod of length one ell used for official measurement. Edward I of England required that every town have one. In Scotland, the Belt of Orion was called "the King's Ellwand".[6][7] An iron ellwand is preserved in the entrance to Stånga Church on the Swedish island of Gotland, indicating the role that rural churches had in disseminating uniform measures.[8]
Several national forms existed, with different lengths, including the Scottish ell (≈Script error: No such module "convert".), the Flemish ell [el] (≈Script error: No such module "convert".), the French ell [aune] (≈Script error: No such module "convert".),[9] the Polish ell (≈Script error: No such module "convert".), the Danish alen (24 Danish inches or 2 Danish fod: 62.7708 cm), the Swedish aln (2 Swedish fot 59.38 cm), and the German ell [Script error: No such module "Lang".], which was different lengths in Frankfurt (54.7 cm), Cologne, Leipzig (Saxony), and Hamburg.
Select customs were observed by English importers of Dutch textiles; although all cloths were bought by the Flemish ell, linen was sold by the English ell, but tapestry was sold by the Flemish ell.[9]
The Viking ell was the measure from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, about Script error: No such module "convert".. The Viking or primitive ell was used in Iceland up to the 13th century. By the 13th century, a law set the "stika" as equal to two ells, which referred to the English ell.[10]
Historic use
England
In England, the ell was usually one-and-a-quarter yards, which is Script error: No such module "convert".. It was mainly used in the tailoring business but is now obsolete. Although the exact length was never defined in English law, standards were kept; the brass ell examined at the Exchequer by Graham in the 1740s had been in use "since the time of Queen Elizabeth."[11]
Other English measures called an ell include the "yard and handful," or the 40 inch ell, abolished in 1439; the yard and inch, or the 37 inch ell (a cloth measure), abolished after 1553, later known as the Scotch ell Script error: No such module "convert".; and the cloth ell of 45 inches, used until 1600.[12] See yard for details.
Scots
The Scottish ell (Template:Langx) is approximately Script error: No such module "convert".. The Scottish ell was standardised in 1661, with the exemplar to be kept in the custody of Edinburgh.[13] It comes from Middle English Script error: No such module "Lang"..[14]
It was used in the popular expression Script error: No such module "Lang". (equivalent to "Give him an inch and he'll take a mile" or "... he'll take a yard").
The Ell Shop (1757) in Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross (National Trust for Scotland), is so called from the 18th-century iron ell-stick attached to one corner, once used to measure cloth and other commodities in the adjacent market-place. The shaft of the 17th-century Kincardine mercat cross stands in the square of Fettercairn, and is notched to show the measurements of an ell.
Scottish measures were made obsolete, and English measurements made standard in Scotland, by an Act of Parliament, the Weights and Measures Act 1824.
Other
Similar measures include:[12]
- Netherlands: el, 1 metre (Old ell=27.08 inches)
- Jersey: ell, 4 feet
- N. Borneo: ella, 1 yard
- Switzerland: elle, 0.6561 yard
- Ottoman Turkey: Arşın, ~69 cm
In literature
In the epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Knight's axe-head was an ell (45 inches) wide.[15]
Ells were also used in the medieval French play The Farce of Master Pathelin to measure the size of the clothing Pierre Pathelin bought.[16]
Ells are used for measuring the length of rope in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.[17] Since Sam declares that 30 elles are "about" 18 fathoms (108 feet), he seems to be using the 45-inch English ell, which would work out to 112 feet.
Halldór Laxness described Örvar-Oddr as twelve Danish ells tall in Independent People, Part II, "Of the World".[18]
References
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- ↑ "ell, n.1". OED Online. December 2011. Oxford University Press. (accessed February 20, 2012).
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ infoplease.com, OED s. Ell-wand.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Brayshaw, Tom S., ed. Brayshaw's Mathematical Desk Companion. Chesterfield, England: Thomas Brayshaw Ltd., Edition 16, 1955
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Weights and Measures" (free fulltext), from the Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 01 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- ↑ Concise Scots Dictionary, chief editor Mairi Robinson, Aberdeen University Press, 1987, p 817
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- Attribution
Further reading
- Collins Encyclopedia of Scotland
- Scottish National Dictionary and Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue
- Weights and Measures, by D. Richard Torrance, SAFHS, Edinburgh, 1996, Template:ISBN (N.B.: The book focusses exclusively on Scottish weights and measures.)
External links
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