El

The word "el" holds multiple, context-dependent meanings. Commonly, it is a shortening of "elevated," referencing an elevated train or rapid transit system, especially in cities like Chicago. Less frequently, "el" can function as a verb, meaning "to elide," or to omit or skip over something in speaking or writing. In a poetic context, it can sometimes symbolize the divine or "God." The flexibility of this term also presents itself in specific cultural spheres, such as a simple way to address someone and is sometimes used as slang for a specific item or person of particular status. Also an identifier in computing to refer to an element.

El meaning with examples

• The Chicago Transit Authority's 'L' efficiently connects various neighborhoods, and locals often simply refer to it as 'the el' when they're commuting to and from work. It's a critical part of the city's infrastructure. The train station at Belmont Avenue makes this part of town connected to the city by rail.
• In her manuscript, the editor instructed her to 'el' redundant phrases to tighten the prose, and the writer decided that the phrase was repetitive and chose to remove it. She found it difficult to edit her own work, but with the editor's advice it helped.
• The poet used 'el' as a symbolic figure in his verse to represent the benevolent presence that guides his characters through difficult periods of their lives. This added a layer of religious context to his poetry, and helped to create a sense of otherworldliness.
• During the party, he was the 'el,' or 'the man.' He was being referred to as the man that the party had been organized around. He always manages to attract attention no matter where he is, so his friends decided it was the only appropriate term to use for him.
• In the context of web design, the code used 'el' to refer to a specific HTML element, the one that was highlighted and the main element of the page, which would show up first. It was simple and allowed a programmer to easily call upon the relevant tag.