Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Having a single sole; hence, poor; poverty-stricken.
  • Mer. Follow me this jest now till thou hast worn out thy pump, that, when the single sole of it is worn, the jest may remain after the wearing sole singular.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • The simple cunning of Dame Elspeth now exhausted itself in commendations of her fair guest, from the snood, as they say, to the single-soled shoe.

    The Monastery 2008

  • Judging by the streets and shop windows in fashionable zones, the proper pump with a dainty one-inch heel and the delicate single-soled sandal are dead, replaced by a dense population of three-inch platforms, clogs, hiking boots and other chunky footgear.

    Where Have All The Sandals Gone? 2008

  • O single-soled jest, solely singular for the singleness.

    Romeo and Juliet 2004

  • O single-soled jest! solely singular for the singleness.

    Act II. Scene IV. Romeo and Juliet 1914

  • Tom Coryat, the "single-soled, single-souled and single-shirted observer of Odcombe," having finally bored his neighbours in the country past bearing, was volleyed off upon a tempest of their yawns to London.

    In a Green Shade A Country Commentary Maurice Hewlett 1892

  • While shoe trends, such as platforms - "Those 'furniture' shoes are finally over, or starting to be," he says of the chunky soles - come and go, those in search of a classically elegant, single-soled pointed shoe can always look to one man.

    Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

  • The simple cunning of Dame Elspeth now exhausted itself in commendations of her fair guest, from the snood, as they say, to the single-soled shoe.

    The Monastery Walter Scott 1801

  • O single-soled jest, solely singular for the singleness.

    Romeo and Juliet 1595

  • Pleaser classifies its shoes in two primary categories: single-soled and platform.

    AVN News 2008

Comments

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  • I almost hate to mention this--it's so delightful--but right now the Century Dictionary definition reads as follows:

    "1. Having a single sole; hence, poor; poverty-stricken. In the quotation from Shakspere a pun is intended, turning on the double meanings of single (simple, foolish) and souled.

    2. Mer. Follow me this jest now till thou hast worn out thy pump, that, when the single sole of it is worn, the jest may remain after the wearing sole singular."

    That second definition is actually an example from Romeo and Juliet. The "Mer." is Mercutio.

    October 20, 2010

  • How curious, and how on earth did you come across it?

    October 20, 2010

  • *whispers* My secret is the Random word feature. I just love it.

    October 20, 2010

  • See suist for more discussion.

    January 19, 2011