ʃu: n. & v. --n. 1
either of a
pair of
protective foot-coverings of
leather,
plastic,
etc., having a
sturdy sole
and, in Britain,
not reaching
above the ankle. 2 a
metal rim nailed to the
hoof of a
horse etc.; a
horseshoe. 3
anything resembling a shoe in
shape or
use, esp.: a a
drag for a
wheel. b =
brake shoe (see BRAKE(1)). c a
socket. d a
ferrule,
esp. on a sledge-runner. e a mast-step. f a box
from which cards are
dealt in casinos at
baccarat etc. --v.tr. (shoes, shoeing;
past and past
part. shod) 1 fit (esp. a horse etc.)
with a shoe or shoes. 2
protect (the
end of a
pole etc.) with a metal shoe. 3 (as
shod adj.) (in comb.) having shoes etc. of a specified kind (dry-shod; roughshod). øbe in a person's shoes be in
his or
her situation,
difficulty, etc.
dead men's shoes
property or a
position etc. coveted by a
prospective successor. if the shoe fits US = if the
cap fits (see CAP). shoe-bill an
African stork-like
bird, Balaeniceps
rex, with a
large flattened bill for
catching aquatic prey. shoe-buckle a
buckle worn as
ornament or as a
fastening on a shoe. shoe-leather leather for shoes, esp.
when worn
through by
walking. shoe-tree a shaped
block for
keeping a shoe in shape when not worn.
where the shoe pinches where one's difficulty or
trouble is. øøshoeless adj. [OE scoh, scog(e)an f. Gmc]
