n.1 a either of a pair of long separate coverings for the legs and feet, usu. close-woven in wool or nylon and worn esp. by women and girls. b esp. US SOCK(1).
2 any close-fitting garment resembling a stocking (bodystocking).
3 a differently-coloured, usu. white, lower part of the leg of a horse etc.
Phrases and idioms:
in one's stocking (or stockinged) feet without shoes (esp. while being measured). stocking cap a knitted usu. conical cap. stocking-filler Brit. a small present suitable for a Christmas stocking. stocking-stitch Knitting a stitch of alternate rows of plain and purl, making an even pattern.
Derivatives:
stockinged adj. (also in comb.). stockingless adj.
Etymology: STOCK in (now dial.) sense 'stocking' + -ING(1)