John-a-Stiles

noun

variants or John-a-Styles
ˌjänəˈstī(ə)lz
archaic
: the second party to legal proceedings when the true names of both parties are unknown compare john-a-nokes

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier John at Stile, from the name John + at Stile, probably from Middle English atte stile at the stile

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Dictionary Entries Near John-a-Stiles

John-apple

John-a-Stiles

John Barleycorn

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Cite this Entry

“John-a-Stiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John-a-Stiles. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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