shoe-form
|shoe-form|
🇺🇸
/ˈʃuːfɔrm/
🇬🇧
/ˈʃuːfɔːm/
foot-shaped mold
Etymology
'shoe-form' is a compound of 'shoe' and 'form'. 'shoe' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'scōh', where it meant 'covering for the foot'. 'form' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'forma', where it meant 'shape' or 'mold'.
'shoe' changed from Old English 'scōh' to Middle English 'shoe' and eventually became the modern English 'shoe'. 'form' came into English via Old French 'forme' from Latin 'forma'; the compound 'shoe-form' developed in modern English as a descriptive compound for a mold used in shoemaking.
Initially, 'shoe' meant 'a covering for the foot' and 'form' meant 'shape'; over time the compound 'shoe-form' evolved to mean 'a shape or mold used to make or repair shoes.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a foot-shaped form (also called a 'last') used to shape, construct, or repair shoes; a mold or block over which leather or other materials are stretched and shaped during shoemaking or repair.
The cobbler stretched the leather over the shoe-form to ensure a snug fit.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/24 08:47