Sōle1, n.
n. [A-S. sole, O. H. Ger. & Sw. sola, N. H. Ger. sohle, D. zool, L. Ger. sale, Dan. saale, Icel. sóli, Goth. sulja, Lat. solea, Fr. sole, Pr. sola, sol, Sp. suela, It. suolo.]
Sense 1. The bottom of the foot; hence, also, rarely, the foot itself.
From the crown of his head to the sole of his foot he is all mirth. Shak.
Hast wandered through the world now long a day, Yet ceasest not thy weary soles to lead. Spenser.
Sense 2. The bottom of a shoe or boot, or the piece of leather which constitutes the bottom.
The “caliga” was a military shoe, with a very thick sole, tied above the instep. Arbuthnot.
Sense 3. The bottom or lower part of any thing, or that on which any thing rests in standing; as, (a.) (Agric.) The bottom of the body of a plow;—called also slade; also, the bottom of a furrow. (b.) (Far.) The horny substance under a horse’s foot, which protects the more tender parts. (c.) (Fort.) The bottom of an embrasure. (d.) (Naut.) A piece of timber attached to the lower part of the rudder, to render it level with the false keel. Totten. (e.) (Mining.) The seat or bottom of a mine;—applied to horizontal veins or lodes. Weale.
Elm is proper for mills, soles of wheels, and pipes. Mortimer.
