sole definition

1. The bottom of the foot; hence, also, rarely, the foot itself. "The dove found no rest for the sole of her foot." (Gen. Viii. 9) "Hast wandered through the world now long a day, yet ceasest not thy weary soles to lead." (Spenser)

2. The bottom of a shoe or boot, or the piece of leather which constitutes the bottom. "The "caliga" was a military shoe, with a very thick sole, tied above the instep." (Arbuthnot)

3. The bottom or lower part of anything, or that on which anything rests in standing. Specifially: The seat or bottom of a mine; applied to horizontal veins or lodes. Sole leather, thick, strong, used for making the soles of boots and shoes, and for other purposes.

Origin: AS. Sole, fr. L. Soolea (or rather an assumed L. Sola), akin to solumround, soil, sole of the foot. Cf. Exile, Saloon, Soil earth, Sole the fish.

<zoology> Any one of several species of flatfishes of the genus Solea and allied genera of the family Soleidae, especially the common European species (Solea vulgaris), which is a valuable food fish.

Any one of several American flounders somewhat resembling the true sole in form or quality, as the California sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata), the long-finned sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus), and other species.

<zoology> Lemon, or French, sole, the megrim.

Origin: F. Sole, L. Solea; so named from its flat shape. See Sole of the foot.