/ səʊl; NAmE soʊl/ adjective , noun , verb
■ adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
only; single :
the sole surviving member of the family
My sole reason for coming here was to see you.
This is the sole means of access to the building.
2.
belonging to one person or group; not shared :
She has sole responsibility for the project.
the sole owner
■ noun
1.
[ C ] the bottom surface of the foot :
The hot sand burned the soles of their feet .
2.
[ C ] the bottom part of a shoe or sock, not including the heel :
leather soles
—picture at loafer
—compare heel noun (3)
3.
-soled (in adjectives) having the type of soles mentioned :
rubber-soled shoes
4.
[ U , C ] ( pl. sole ) a flat sea fish that is used for food
■ verb
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] to repair a shoe by replacing the sole
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 1 to 3 and verb Middle English : from Old French , from Latin solea sandal, sill, from solum bottom, pavement, sole; compare with Dutch zool and German Sohle .
noun sense 4 Middle English : from Old French , from Provençal sola , from Latin solea sandal, sill, from solum bottom, pavement, sole, named from its shape.
adjective late Middle English (also in the senses secluded and unrivalled ): from Old French soule , from Latin sola , feminine of solus alone.