SOLE

n. & v. --n. 1 the under-surface of the foot. 2 the part of a shoe, sock, etc., corresponding to this (esp. excluding the heel). 3 the lower surface or base of an implement, e.g. a plough, golf-club head, etc. 4 the floor of a ship's cabin. --v.tr. provide (a shoe etc.) with a sole. øsole-plate the bedplate of an engine etc. øø-soled adj. (in comb.). [OF ult. f. L solea sandal, sill: cf. OE unrecorded solu or sola f. solum bottom, pavement, sole]