Ale \Ale\ ([=a]l), n. [AS. ealu, akin to Icel., Sw., and Dan.
   ["o]l, Lith. alus a kind of beer, OSlav. ol[u^] beer. Cf. Ir.
   ol drink, drinking.]
   1. An intoxicating liquor made from an infusion of malt by
      fermentation and the addition of a bitter, usually hops.
      
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   Note: The word ale, in England and the United States, usually
         designates a heavier kind of fermented liquor, and the
         word beer a lighter kind. The word beer is also in
         common use as the generic name for all malt liquors.
         
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   2. A festival in English country places, so called from the
      liquor drunk. "At wakes and ales." --B. Jonson."On ember
      eves and holy ales." --Shak.
      
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Beer \Beer\, n. [OE. beor, ber, AS. be['o]r; akin to Fries.
   biar, Icel. bj?rr, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E.
   brew. [root]93, See {Brew}.]
   1. A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but
      commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other
      substance to impart a bitter flavor.
      
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   Note: Beer has different names, as {small beer}, {ale},
         {porter}, {brown stout}, {lager beer}, according to its
         strength, or other qualities. See {Ale}.
         
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   2. A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of
      various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.
      
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   {Small beer}, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. "To
      suckle fools, and chronicle small beer." --Shak.
      
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