First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1sole
noun \ˈsōl\
Definition of SOLE
: any of various flatfishes (family Soleidae) having a small mouth, small or rudimentary fins, and small eyes placed close together and including important food fishes (as the European Dover sole); also : any of various mostly market flatfishes (as lemon sole) of other families (as Pleuronectidae)
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Origin of SOLE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin solea sandal, a flatfish
2sole
noun
Definition of SOLE
1
a : the undersurface of a foot b : the part of an item of footwear on which the sole rests and upon which the wearer treads
2
: the usually flat or flattened bottom or lower part of something or the base on which something rests
— soled \ˈsōld\ adjective
Origin of SOLE
Middle English, from Anglo-French sole, soele, from Latin solea sandal; akin to Latin solum base, ground, soil
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Anatomy Terms
3sole
transitive verb
: to put a new sole on (a shoe, boot, etc.)
soledsol·ing
Full Definition of SOLE
1
: to furnish with a sole <sole a shoe>
2
: to place the sole of (a golf club) on the ground
First Known Use of SOLE
circa 1570
Other Clothing Terms
4sole
adjective
: only or single
: belonging only to the person or group specified
Full Definition of SOLE
1
: not married —used chiefly of women
2
archaic : having no companion : solitary
3
a : having no sharer b : being the only one <she was her mother's sole support>
4
: functioning independently and without assistance or interference <let conscience be the sole judge>
5
: belonging exclusively or otherwise limited to one usually specified individual, unit, or group
— sole·ness \ˈsōl-nəs\ noun
See sole defined for English-language learners
Origin of SOLE
Middle English, alone, from Anglo-French sul, soul, seul, from Latin solus
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to SOLE
- Antonyms
- nonexclusive
SOLE Defined for Kids
1sole
noun \ˈsōl\
Definition of SOLE for Kids
1
: the bottom of the foot
2
: the bottom of a shoe, slipper, or boot
2sole
verb
soledsol·ing
Definition of SOLE for Kids
: to put a new sole on <sole shoes>
3sole
noun
Definition of SOLE for Kids
: a flatfish that has a small mouth and small eyes set close together and is often used for food
4sole
adjective
Definition of SOLE for Kids
2
: limited or belonging only to the person or group mentioned <The coach had sole authority over the team.>
Medical Dictionary
sole
noun \ˈsōl\
Medical Definition of SOLE
1
: the undersurface of a foot
2
: the somewhat concave plate of moderately dense horn that covers the lower surface of the coffin bone of the horse, partly surrounds the frog, and is bounded externally by the wall
Learn More About SOLE
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