alley

Etymology 1

From Middle English aley, from Old French alee, feminine of alé, past participle of aler (“to go”) (French aller). Doublet of allée.

noun

1. A narrow street or passageway, especially one through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots of buildings.
   The parking lot to my friend's apartment building is in the alley.
2. (baseball) The area between the outfielders.
   He hit one deep into the alley.
3. (bowling) An establishment where bowling is played.
4. (bowling) An elongated wooden strip of floor along which a bowling ball is rolled.
5. (tennis) The extra area between the sidelines or tramlines on a tennis court that is used for doubles matches.
6. A walk or passage in a garden or park, bordered by rows of trees or bushes.
7. A passageway between rows of pews in a church.
8. (perspective drawing) Any passage having the entrance represented as wider than the exit, so as to give the appearance of length.
9. The space between two rows of compositors' stands in a printing office.

Etymology 2

Diminutive of alabaster, from which they were once made.

noun

1. A marble (small ball used in games).