n. (pl. socks or or informal & Commerce sox) 1 a short knitted covering for the foot, usu. not reaching the knee. 2 a removable inner sole put into a shoe for warmth etc. 3 an ancient Greek or Roman comic actor's light shoe. 4 comic drama. pull one's socks up Brit. colloq. make an effort to improve. put a sock in it Brit. sl. be quiet.
[ OE socc f. L soccus comic actor's shoe, light low-heeled slipper, f. Gk sukkhos ]