Back-alley is a term that is often used to describe a narrow street or alleyway that is located behind buildings or homes. It is a term that is commonly used to describe a place that is hidden from view or is not easily accessible. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of back-alley in more detail.
Definitions
The term back-alley can be defined as a narrow street or alleyway that is located behind buildings or homes. It is often used to describe a place that is hidden from view or is not easily accessible. Back-alley can also be used to describe a place that is used for illegal activities or is considered to be unsafe.
Origin
The term back-alley has its origins in the Middle English word ‘bakke,’ which means ‘back’ or ‘rear.’ The term ‘alley’ comes from the Old French word ‘alee,’ which means ‘path’ or ‘way.’ The combination of these two words gave rise to the term back-alley.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, back-alley is defined as “a narrow street or alleyway that is located behind buildings or homes.” The Cambridge dictionary defines back-alley as “a narrow street or alleyway that is located behind buildings and is often considered to be unsafe or used for illegal activities.”
Associations
Back-alley is often associated with illegal activities such as drug dealing, prostitution, and gambling. It is also associated with poverty and crime, as these areas are often neglected by local authorities and lack proper infrastructure.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for back-alley include alleyway, lane, narrow street, and side street.
Antonyms
Antonyms for back-alley include main road, boulevard, avenue, and highway.
The same root words
Words that share the same root words as back-alley include backdoor, backyard, and backstreet.
Example Sentences
- The drug dealers operated out of a back-alley behind the convenience store.
- She stumbled down the dark back-alley, trying to find her way home.
- The restaurant had a secret entrance through a back-alley.
- The city council is planning to renovate the back-alley behind the shops to make it safer for pedestrians.