[al.ley] n, pl alleys [ME, fr. MF alee, fr. OF, fr. aler to go] (14c) 1: a garden or park walk bordered by trees or bushes
2. a (1): a grassed enclosure for bowling or skittles (2): a hardwood lane for bowling; also: a room or building housing a group of such lanes b: the space on each side of a tennis doubles court between the sideline and the service sideline c: an area in a baseball outfield between two outfielders when they are in normal positions
3: a narrow street; esp: a thoroughfare through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots or buildings -- up one's alley also down one's alley : suited to one's own tastes or abilities
[2]alley n, pl alleys [by shortening and alter. fr. alabaster] (1720): a playing marble; esp: one of superior quality