~ 1
■ noun
1》 a sturdy item of footwear covering the foot and ankle, and sometimes the lower leg.
2》 informal a hard kick.
3》 Brit. a space at the back of a car for carrying luggage.
4》 historical an instrument of torture for crushing the foot.
■ verb
1》 kick hard.
2》 ( ~ someone out ) informal force someone to leave unceremoniously.
3》 start (a computer) and put it into a state of readiness for operation. [from ~strap .]
Phrases
the ~ (or N. Amer. shoe ) is on the other foot the situation has reversed.
die with one's ~s on die in battle or while actively occupied.
give (or get ) the ~ informal dismiss (or be dismissed) from a job.
old ~ informal an ugly or disliked old woman.
put the ~ in Brit. informal kick or attack someone when they are already on the ground.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~ed adjective
Origin
ME: from ON bóti or its source, OFr. bote .
————————
~ 2
■ noun (in phr. to ~ ) as well.
Origin
OE bōt 'advantage, remedy', of Gmc origin.