latchet
Definitions
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- noun The strap or thong by which a shoe or sandal is fastened.
Examples
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The latchet was the thong by which the sandal was bound on the foot.
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His claim being admitted and registered, his Royal Highness having placed his foot upon a cushion, the Baron of Bradwardine, kneeling upon his right knee, proceeded to undo the latchet of the brogue, or low-heeled Highland shoe, which our gallant young hero wears in compliment to his brave followers.
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And I have been told, upon a sentinel at Rome, as he stood to guard the temple, burned the latchet of his shoe, and did no other harm; and several silver candlesticks lying in wooden boxes, the silver was melted while the boxes lay untouched.
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Blessed be life and earth and sky, blessed be my enemies; in this hour I will be gracious to my bitterest enemy, and bind the latchet of his shoe ...
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And then a cry comes down, and she nods; Axel, maybe, or maybe the hill-folk, devils — anyway, something to sniff and scent and find — to worm out the meaning of it all, the wisdom of the Almighty with the dark and the forest in the hollow of His hand — and He would never harm Oline, that was not worthy to unloose the latchet of His shoes ...
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Who had a blind faith in the lofty destiny of his friends? who extolled them with pride? who championed them with angry vehemence? who was innocent of envy as of vanity? who was ready for the most disinterested self-sacrifice? who eagerly gave way to men who were not worthy to untie his latchet? ...
Note
The word 'latchet' comes from Old French 'lachet', a variant of 'lacet', diminutive of 'laz' ("lace").
