- an external covering for the human foot, usually of leather and consisting of a more or less stiff or heavy sole and a lighter upper part ending a short distance above, at, or below the ankle.
- an object or part resembling a shoe in form, position, or use.
- a horseshoe or a similar plate for the hoof of some other animal.
- a ferrule or the like, as of iron, for protecting the end of a staff, pole, etc.
- brake shoe.
- the outer casing of a pneumatic automobile tire.
- a drag or skid for a wheel of a vehicle.
- a part having a larger area than the end of an object on which it fits, serving to disperse or apply its weight or thrust.
- the sliding contact by which an electric car or locomotive takes its current from the third rail.
- Civil Engineering.
- a member supporting one end of a truss or girder in a bridge.
- a hard and sharp foot of a pile or caisson for piercing underlying soil.
- a small molding, as a quarter round, closing the angle between a baseboard and a floor.
- the outwardly curved portion at the base of a downspout.
- a piece of iron or stone, sunk into the ground, against which the leaves of a gateway are shut.
- a device on a camera that permits an accessory, as a flashgun, to be attached.
- a band of iron on the bottom of the runner of a sleigh.
- dealing box.
- Furniture.
- a cuplike metal piece for protecting the bottom of a leg.
- a fillet beneath an ornamental foot, as a pad or scroll foot.
- a box into which unusable type is thrown.
- a chute conveying grain to be ground into flour.
- soleplate.
- a thickness of planking covering the bottom of the keel of a wooden vessel to protect it against rubbing.
- to provide or fit with a shoe or shoes.
- to protect or arm at the point, edge, or face with a ferrule, metal plate, or the like.
- to complete an action or enterprise already begun.
- to take the place and assume the obligations of another person: She felt that no stepmother could ever hope to fill her late mother's shoes.
- in a position or situation similar to that of another: I wouldn't like to be in his shoes.
- the circumstances are reversed; a change of places has occurred: Now that we are rich and they are poor the shoe is on the other foot.
- the true cause of the trouble or worry.
- one of a matching pair of coverings shaped to fit the foot, esp one ending below the ankle, having an upper of leather, plastic, etc, on a sole and heel of heavier leather, rubber, or synthetic material
- (as modifier)
- anything resembling a shoe in shape, function, position, etc, such as a horseshoe
- a band of metal or wood on the bottom of the runner of a sledge
- (in baccarat, etc) a boxlike device for holding several packs of cards and allowing the cards to be dispensed singly
- a base for the supports of a superstructure of a bridge, roof, etc
- a metal collector attached to an electric train that slides along the third rail and picks up power for the motor
- a lining to protect from and withstand wear
- to be in another person's situation
- to furnish with shoes
- to fit (a horse) with horseshoes
- to furnish with a hard cover, such as a metal plate, for protection against friction or bruising
