In Hebrew the words אַיִל 'ram' and אַיָּל 'stag' are distinct, but there is no clear evidence for that distinction here. The occasional bi-syllabic variant vocalizations in JLA texts are almost certainly Hebraisms, as is the meaning "ram" at Qumran. On the other hand, the JLA vocalization of the feminine form as אַיָּלָה seems well established. The reading אילי at 4Q531 17:8 has been rejected in favor of איש. For possible figurative usages see s.v. ˀyl #5 n.m. Page refs. in other dictionaries: DJPA: 48b; DJBA: 113a; Jastrow: 48; Levy Ch-W: 1:24; Tal Sam: 24; DNWSI: 45; DJA: 30b; Cook,Qumran: 8;
ˀyl, ˀylˀ n.m. #5 projecting ledge; ship's prow ˀylh, ˀyltˀ (ˀaylā; ˀayəlṯā, ˀayyāləṯā) n.f. #2 doe