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shoe

(sh)

1. A durable covering for the human foot, made of leather or similar material with a rigid sole and heel, usually extending no higher than the ankle.

2. A horseshoe.

3. A part or device that is located at the base of something or that functions as a protective covering, as:

a. A strip of metal fitted onto the bottom of a sled runner.

b. The base for the supports of the superstructure of a bridge.

c. The ferrule on the end of a cane.

d. The casing of a pneumatic tire.

4. A device that retards or stops the motion of an object, as the part of a brake that presses against the wheel or drum.

5. The sliding contact plate on an electric train or streetcar that conducts electricity from the third rail.

6. A chute, as for conveying grain from a hopper.

7. Games A case from which playing cards are dealt one at a time.

8. shoes Informal

a. Position; status: You would understand my decision if you put yourself in my shoes.

b. Plight: I wouldn't want to be in her shoes.

tr.v. shod (shŏd), shod or shod·den (shŏdn), shoe·ing, shoes

1. To furnish or fit with a shoe or shoes.

2. To cover with a wooden or metal guard to protect against wear.

Idioms:

the shoe is on the other foot Informal

The circumstances have been reversed; an unequal relationship has been inverted.

wait for the other shoe to drop Slang

To defer action or decision until another matter is finished or resolved.

[Middle English, from Old English scōh.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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