shoe

shoe [sho͞o]

n.

[ME sho < OE sceoh, akin to Ger schuh < IE base * (s)keu-, to cover > SKY, HIDE¹]

1. an outer covering for the human foot, made of leather, canvas, etc. and usually having a stiff or thick sole and a heel: sometimes restricted to footwear that does not cover the ankle, as distinguished from a BOOT¹

2. short for HORSESHOE

3. something like a shoe in shape or use; specif.,

a) a metal cap or ferrule fitted over the end of a cane, pole, staff, etc.

b) short for BRAKE SHOE

c) a part forming a base for the supports of a superstructure, as a roof, bridge, etc.

d) the metal strip along the bottom of a sled runner

e) the casing of a pneumatic tire

f) the sliding contact plate by which an electric train picks up current from the third rail

g) a metal protecting plate upon which a mechanical part moves

vt.

shod or shoed, shod or shoed or shodden, shoeing

1. to furnish or fit with a shoe or shoes

2. to cover, tip, or sheathe (a stick, wearing surface, etc.) with a metal plate, ferrule, etc.

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fill someone's shoes

to take someone's place

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in another's shoes

in another's position

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☆ the shoe is on the other foot

the situation is reversed for the persons involved

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where the shoe pinches

the source of trouble, grief, difficulty, etc.