hobnail

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a short nail with a thick head; used to protect the soles of boots
  2. verb supply with hobnails

Etymology

From hob + nail. The oldest attestation is in William Shakespeare, but he likely did not coin the term.

In classic literature

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

Continue reading