/ kliːt; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] a small wooden or metal bar fastened to sth, on which ropes may be fastened by winding
2.
[ C ] a piece of rubber on the bottom of a shoe, etc. to stop it from slipping
3.
cleats [ pl. ] ( NAmE ) shoes with cleats, often worn for playing sports
—picture at shoe
—compare football boot , spike (2), stud (3)
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense wedge ): of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch kloot ball, sphere and German Kloss clod, dumpling, also to clot and clout .