sill
UK[sɪl]US[sɪl]
n
a flat horizontal piece, usually of wood or stone, forming the base of the frame of a window or door.
n
a sheet of igneous rock that has been forced between older rocks in a direction parallel to the existing strata.
Etymology
the word 'sill' originates from the old english 'sylle' or 'syll', which referred to a foundation, base, or threshold. this term is of germanic origin, related to old high german 'swelli' and old norse 'svill', both meaning a sill or beam. the core concept of a foundational horizontal support persisted from its proto-germanic ancestor into its specialized modern meanings in architecture and geology. the geological sense, referring to a specific type of intrusive rock layer, developed by analogy to the architectural feature, as both form a horizontal, sheet-like base.
Analysis
the word 'sill' is a simplex word of old english origin. it cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes within modern english spelling.
Examples
she placed the flower pot on the sunny window sill.
the cat sat on the door sill, watching the rain.
the whin sill is a famous geological feature in northern england.