I. intransitive verb
or stye
( stied ; stied ; stying ; sties )
Etymology: Middle English styen, from Old English stīgan to go up — more at stair
obsolete : ascend , mount , climb
II. noun
also stye ˈstī
( plural sties also styes )
Etymology: Middle English sty, from Old English sti, stig sty, pen, hall; akin to Old Norse -stī sty and perhaps to Old English stān stone — more at stone
1. : a pen or enclosure for swine : enclosed housing for swine
2.
a. : an unkempt or filthy abode or lodging place
her house was a perfect sty
b. : a low or vicious place : one catering to the viler instincts
a sty of immorality
III. verb
( styed ; styed ; stying ; sties )
Etymology: from (assumed) Middle English styen, from Old English stigian, from stī, stig, n.
transitive verb
1. : to pen up (swine)
2. : to lodge or keep in or as if in a sty
intransitive verb
: to live in a sty
IV. noun
or stye “
( plural sties or styes )
Etymology: short for obsolete English styan, from (assumed) Middle English styan, alteration of Old English stīgend, from stīgan to go up, rise
: an inflamed swelling of a sebaceous gland at the margin of an eyelid