What is "single ale"

Single \Sin"gle\, a. [L. singulus, a dim. from the root in simplex simple; cf. OE. & OF. sengle, fr. L. singulus. See Simple, and cf. Singular.]

1. One only, as distinguished from more than one; consisting of one alone; individual; separate; as, a single star.

   No single man is born with a right of controlling the opinions of all the rest.
   --Pope.

2. Alone; having no companion.

   Who single hast maintained, Against revolted multitudes, the cause Of truth.
   --Milton.

3. Hence, unmarried; as, a single man or woman.

   Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness.
   --Shak.

   Single chose to live, and shunned to wed.
   --Dryden.

4. Not doubled, twisted together, or combined with others; as, a single thread; a single strand of a rope.

5. Performed by one person, or one on each side; as, a single combat.

   These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, . . . Who now defles thee thrice ti single fight.
   --Milton.

6. Uncompounded; pure; unmixed.

   Simple ideas are opposed to complex, and single to compound.
   --I. Watts.

7. Not deceitful or artful; honest; sincere.

   I speak it with a single heart.
   --Shak.

8. Simple; not wise; weak; silly. [Obs.]

   He utters such single matter in so infantly a voice.
   --Beau. & Fl.

   Single ale, Single beer, or Single drink, small ale, etc., as contrasted with double ale, etc., which is stronger. [Obs.]
   --Nares.

   Single bill (Law), a written engagement, generally under seal, for the payment of money, without a penalty.
   --Burril.

   Single court (Lawn Tennis), a court laid out for only two players.

   Single-cut file. See the Note under 4th File.

   Single entry. See under Bookkeeping.

   Single file. See under 1st File.

   Single flower (Bot.), a flower with but one set of petals, as a wild rose.

   Single knot. See Illust. under Knot.

   Single whip (Naut.), a single rope running through a fixed block.