Miles

See also: miles and mīlēs

English

Alternative forms

• Myles

Etymology

From Old French given name Milo, of problematic origin, possibly from an unknown Germanic element, or a short form of Slavic names beginning with mil- "grace, favor". The English form is associated by folk etymology with Latin mīles (“soldier”). As a surname, it is also derived from a Middle English [Term?] form of Michael.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /maɪlz/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aɪlz

Proper noun

Miles (countable and uncountable, plural Miles or Mileses)

1. A male given name from the Germanic languages.
   • 1858, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Courtship of Miles Standish:

     Clad in doublet and hose, and boots of Cordovan leather, / Strode, with a martial air, Miles Standish the Puritan Captain.

   • 2011, Ali Smith, There but for the, Hamish Hamilton, →ISBN, page 191:

     Just one thing, if I may, Mark said. It's Miles, his name. Not Milo.
     Yeah, I know, Anna's always going on about that too. But Milo's better, Milo's got something about it, hasn't it? the man said. It's catchier. It's catching on round the camp, Milo, where Miles sounds a bit, well, wet. A bit middle class, you know?

2. A surname originating as a patronymic.
3. A number of places in the United States:
   1. A minor city in Jackson County, Iowa.
   2. An unincorporated community in Orange County, North Carolina.
   3. A township in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
   4. A minor city in Runnels County, Texas.
   5. An unincorporated community in Mathews County, Virginia.
   6. An unincorporated community in Lincoln County, Washington.
   7. An unincorporated community in Pendleton County, West Virginia.
   8. An unincorporated community in the town of Porterfield, Marinette County, Wisconsin.
4. A town in Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia.

Derived terms

• Miles City

References

• Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges: A Concise Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press 2001.

Anagrams

• Imels, Liems, Selim, limes, milse, misle, slime, smile