Word: boot Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English boote, bote (“shoe”), from Old French bote (“a high, thick shoe”). Of obscure origin, but probably related to Old French bot (“club-foot”), bot (“fat, short, blunt”), from Old Frankish *butt, from Proto-Germanic *buttaz, *butaz (“cut off, short, numb, blunt”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewt-, *bʰewd- (“to strike, push, shock”); if so, a doublet of butt. Compare Old Norse butt (“stump”), Low German butt (“blunt, plump”), Old English bytt (“small piece of land”), buttuc (“end”). More at buttock and debut. Pronunciation: /buːt/, /bʉwt/, /but/, /bʉːt/, /bʉt/ 1. A heavy shoe that covers part of the leg. 2. A heavy shoe that covers part of the leg. 3. A blow with the foot; a kick. Labels: uncountable 4. A flexible cover of rubber or plastic, which may be preformed to a particular shape and used to protect a shaft, lever, switch, or opening from dust, dirt, moisture, etc. 5. Oppression, an oppressor. Labels: figuratively, with-definite-article Example: Dr. Jayakar was not only one of them but was at places the prime mover in the historic decisions taken by a nation struggling to get free of the British boot. Example: Never in its long history, and one rich with brutal inequities too, had Paris known the disgrace of seeing one section of its community prosper under the boot of an invader 6. A torture device used on the feet or legs, such as a Spanish boot. Example: The boot, thumbscrews, the shackles, and a contraption called the "warm hose", were only a few of the inflictions being too terrible to mention. 7. A parking enforcement device used to immobilize a car until it can be towed or a fine is paid; a wheel clamp. Labels: US 8. A rubber bladder on the leading edge of an aircraft’s wing, which is inflated periodically to remove ice buildup; a deicing boot. 9. A place at the side of a coach, where attendants rode; also, a low outside place before and behind the body of the coach. Labels: obsolete 10. A place for baggage at either end of an old-fashioned stagecoach. Labels: archaic 11. The luggage storage compartment of a sedan or saloon car. Labels: Australia, New-Zealand, South-Africa, UK Example: He heaved the bag and its contents over the lip of the boot and on to the flagstones. When it was out, no longer in that boot but on the ground, and the bag was still intact, he knew the worst was over. Example: The body is constructed of welded steel panels, with the bonnet, doors and boot lid in aluminium on steel frames. 12. The act or process of removing or firing someone (dismissing them from a job or other post). Labels: informal, with-definite-article Example: He was useless so he got the boot. 13. An unattractive person, ugly woman. Labels: UK, slang Example: old boot 14. A recently arrived recruit; a rookie. Labels: US, slang Example: Did you even go to OCS, you complete and utter boot!? 15. A soldier, especially a footsoldier. Labels: US, plural, usually Example: We do not anticipate there will be US boots on the ground to help quell the violence. 16. A black person. Labels: ethnic, slang, slur Example: My Dad has taught me that in England some foolish man may call me sambo, darkie, boot or munt or nigger, even. 17. A hard or rigid case for a long firearm, typically moulded to the shape of the gun. Example: They drew in their horses and dismounted. The others riding ahead were already out of sight in the darkness. Beyond them shone the lights of Bou Saada. Tarzan removed his rifle from its boot and loosened his revolver in its holster. 18. A bobbled ball. 19. The inflated flag leaf sheath of a wheat plant. 20. A linear amplifier used with CB radio. Labels: slang Example: Because of overcrowding, many a CB enthusiast (called an "apple") is strapping an illegal linear amplifier ("boots") on to his transceiver ("ears") […] 21. A tyre. Labels: slang 22. A crust end-piece of a loaf of bread. Labels: US