shoe

¹shoe

noun \ˈshü\

Definition of SHOE

1

a : an outer covering for the human foot typically having a thick or stiff sole with an attached heel and an upper part of lighter material (as leather)

b : a metal plate or rim for the hoof of an animal

2

: something resembling a shoe in function or placement

3

plural : another's place, function, or viewpoint <steps from assistant stage manager into the star's shoes — Steven Fuller>

4

: a device that retards, stops, or controls the motion of an object; especially : the part of a brake that presses on the brake drum

5

a : any of various devices that are inserted in or run along a track or groove to guide a movement, provide a contact or friction grip, or protect against wear, damage, or slipping

b : a device (as a clip or track) on a camera that permits attachment of an accessory item (as a flash unit)

6

: a dealing box designed to hold several decks of playing cards

— shoe·less adjective

Examples of SHOE

1. She bought a pair of shoes.
2. He took off his shoes and socks.
3. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now.
4. Anyone in her shoes would have done the same thing.

Origin of SHOE

Middle English shoo, from Old English scōh; akin to Old High German scuoh shoe

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

Rhymes with SHOE

blue, boo, brew, chew, clew, clue, coo, coup, crew, cue, dew, do, doux, due, ewe, few, flu, flue, fou, glue, gnu, goo, hew, hue, Jew, Koo, lieu, loo, mew, moo, moue, mu, new, nu, ooh, pew, phew, pooh, q, queue, roux, rue, screw, shoo, shrew, Sioux, skew, slew, slough, slue, smew, sou, sous, spew, sprue, stew, strew, sue, Sue, thew, through, to, too, true, two, u, view, whew, who, woo, xu, yew, you, zoo

²shoe

transitive verb

shod \ˈshäd\ also shoed \ˈshüd\ shoe·ing \ˈshü-iŋ\

Definition of SHOE

1

: to furnish with a shoe

2

: to cover for protection, strength, or ornament

Examples of SHOE

1. The blacksmith shod the horse.
2. The horse was taken to be shod.

First Known Use of SHOE

before 12th century

shoe

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Outer covering for the foot, usually of leather, with a stiff or thick sole and heel, and generally reaching no higher than the ankle (unlike a boot). Early examples from Mesopotamia were moccasinlike wraparounds of leather; not until the Hellenistic Age did shoes become luxurious. The Romans developed shoes fitted for the left and right feet, and differentiated according to sex and rank. In the 14th–15th century, shoes became extremely long and pointed, the points attaining a length of 18 in. (45 cm) or more. In the 16th century, the toes became extremely broad, like a duck's bill. In the 17th century, shoes had moderately high heels and were often decorated with large rosettes of lace and ribbons, which gave way to gold or silver buckles in the 18th century. The first shoe factory opened in 1760, in Massachusetts, but not until the development of modern machinery in the 19th century were shoes made quickly and inexpensively.