shoe

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).
Phrases and idioms:
be 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.
Derivatives:
shoeless adj.
Etymology: OE scoh, scog(e)an f. Gmc