Definition

1. Noun:
   • An elevated railway: A railway system that is electrically powered and operates on tracks raised above street level, typically in urban areas.
   • Angular elevation: (Astronomy) The angular distance of a celestial object above the horizon.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Elevated Railway):
  • The city's el rumbles past the apartment windows every few minutes.
  • Before the subway was expanded, the el was the main form of rapid transit.
• Noun (Angular Elevation):
  • The astronomer measured the el of the star to be 45 degrees.
  • For the signal to be clear, the satellite dish requires a minimum el.

Advanced Usage

• "riding the el": Using the elevated railway as a mode of transport.
  • Commuting by riding the el offers a unique view of the city streets below.
• In technical contexts like astronomy, surveying, or ballistics, "el" is a standard abbreviation for elevation when discussing angles.

Variants and Related Words

• Elevated (adj/n): Raised up; (n) short for "elevated railway," synonymous with el.
  • We waited on the elevated platform.
• Elevation (n): The act of raising something or the height to which it is raised; in astronomy, synonymous with the angular distance meaning of el.
  • The elevation of the new building is 300 meters.

Synonyms

• Elevated railway / railroad: The full term for the transportation system.
• Overhead railway: A descriptive synonym.
• Altitude / angular height: Synonyms for the astronomical meaning.

Related Phrases

• El train: A common compound phrase referring to the trains that run on the elevated railway.
  • The noise of the el train is a constant background sound in the neighborhood.
• El station: A stop on the elevated railway line.
  • Get off at the next el station.

Notes

• "El" is primarily a North American term, especially common in cities like Chicago and New York.
• In most formal writing, "elevated" or "elevated railway" is preferred. "El" is common in informal speech and historical contexts.
• The astronomical usage is highly specialized and typically found in technical manuals or data sheets, often as an abbreviation.

Noun

1. a railway that is powered by electricity and that runs on a track that is raised above the street level
2. angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)