Alley, n.; pl. Alleys.
Etymology: [OE. aley, alley, OF. alée, F. allée, a going, passage, fr. OE. aler, F. aller, to go; of uncertain origin: cf. Prov. anar, It. andare, Sp. andar.]
1. A narrow passage; especially a walk or passage in a garden or park, bordered by rows of trees or bushes; a bordered way. I know each lane and every alley green. Milton.
2. A narrow passage or way in a city, as distinct from a public street. Gay.
3. A passageway between rows of pews in a church.
4. (Persp.)
2 more senses
Any passage having the entrance represented as wider than the exit, so as to give the appearance of length.
5. The space between two rows of compositors' stands in a printing office.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Alley, n.; pl. Alleys.
A choice taw or marble. Dickens.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for alley; he lists it under way.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.