[ar.ea] n [L, open space, threshing floor; perh. akin to L arere to be dry--more at arid] (1538) 1: a level piece of ground
2: the surface included within a set of lines; specif: the number of unit squares equal in measure to the surface
3: the scope of a concept, operation, or activity: field "the whole ~ of foreign policy"
4: areaway "went down the steps into the ~ of a house --James Joyce"
5: a particular extent of space or surface or one serving a special function: as a: a part of the surface of the body b: a geographic region
6: a part of the cerebral cortex having a particular function -- ar.e.al adj -- ar.e.al.ly adv