‖ pyal, a. E. Ind.
(ˈpaɪəl)
Also pyall, pial.
[South Indian ad. Pg. poyal a jossing block or mounting stone, deriv. of Pg. and Sp. poyo a bench by the door:—L. podium raised place: see podium.]
‘A raised platform on which people sit, usually under the veranda, or on either side of the door of the house’ (Yule). Also attrib. pyal school.
| 1873 E. C. Gover in Ind. Antiq. II. 52 (heading) Pyal Schools in Madras. 1896 Indian Mag. & Rev. Jan. 39 Every village has its self-supporting pyall school, where boys and girls are taught simple lessons. 1898 Mission Herald (Boston) Apr. 153 In front of an earthen pial where I might sit. |