[sole] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L solea sandal, a flatfish] (13c): any of various flatfishes (family Soleidae) having a small mouth, small or rudimentary fins, and small eyes placed close together and including superior food fishes (as the European Dover sole); also: any of various mostly market flatfishes (as lemon sole) of other families (as Pleuronectidae)
[2]sole n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L solea sandal; akin to L solum base, ground, soil] (14c) 1 a: the undersurface of a foot b: the part of an item of footwear on which the sole rests and upon which the wearer treads
2: the usu. flat or flattened bottom or lower part of something or the base on which something rests -- soled adj [3]sole vt soled ; sol.ing (1570) 1: to furnish with a sole "~ a shoe"
2: to place the sole of (a golf club) on the ground [4]sole adj [ME, alone, fr. MF seul, fr. L solus] (14c) 1: not married--used chiefly of women
2. archaic: having no companion: solitary 3 a: having no sharer b: being the only one "she was her mother's ~ support"
4: functioning independently and without assistance or interference "let conscience be the ~ judge"
5: belonging exclusively or otherwise limited to one usu. specified individual, unit, or group -- sole.ness n