Whilst out walking in the countryside had to clamber over a few styles?

Question

Where does the name style come from and what does it mean?

Answer 1

Stile from old English stigel, old High German stigilla (German dialect stiegel.

An arrangement of steps or the like, contrived to allow passage over or through a fence to one person at a time, while forming a barrier to sheep or cattle.  OED.

Answer 2

Its spelt 'stile'. But no idea where it comes from.

Answer 3

all i can find is it might mean a slender gap or opening but what it really means in old English may have been lost now over the years

Answer 4

A stile is a pair of steps or ladders that is accessible to pedestrians but generally inaccessible to animals. Stiles are often found in rural areas or along footpaths and allow access to a field or other area enclosed by a fence or wall. Unlike a gate, there is no chance of forgetting to close it, but they may be difficult to use for some disabled individuals.

In the UK many stiles were built under legal compulsion, and for that reason a wide variety of designs exist some with the intention of being difficult to use[citation needed]. Recent changes in UK government policy towards farming has encouraged landowners in upland areas to make their land more available to the public and this has seen an increase in the number of stiles and an improvement in their overall condition. However on popular paths stiles are often replaced by kissing gates.

Answer 5

It's spelt stile, in this case.

According to my Collins Pocket English Dictionary, it is derived from the Old English, stigan, to climb.

Answer 6

A stile is a pair of steps or ladders that is accessible to pedestrians but generally inaccessible to animals. Stiles are often found in rural areas or along footpaths and allow access to a field or other area enclosed by a fence or wall. Unlike a gate, there is no chance of forgetting to close it, but they may be difficult to use for some disabled individuals.

In the UK many stiles were built under legal compulsion, and for that reason a wide variety of designs exist some with the intention of being difficult to use[citation needed]. Recent changes in UK government policy towards farming has encouraged landowners in upland areas to make their land more available to the public and this has seen an increase in the number of stiles and an improvement in their overall condition.