buskin

American  

[buhs-kin] / ˈbʌs kɪn /

noun

1. a thick-soled, laced boot or half boot.

2. Also called cothurnus.  the high, thick-soled shoe worn by ancient Greek and Roman tragedians.

3. buskins, stockings decorated with gold thread worn by a bishop at a Pontifical Mass.

4. tragic drama; tragedy.

5. the art of acting, especially tragic acting.

6. a woman's low-cut shoe with elastic gores at the sides of the instep, popular in the early 20th century.

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buskin British  

/ ˈbʌskɪn /

noun

1. (formerly) a sandal-like covering for the foot and leg, reaching the calf and usually laced

2. Also called: cothurnus.  a thick-soled laced half boot resembling this, worn esp by actors of ancient Greece

3. literary tragic drama

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Etymology

Origin of buskin

1495–1505; probably alteration of Middle French bro ( u ) sequin, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

buskin

Buskin & Sock Sirs: In my study of drama, I find the buskin, or boot, signifies a tragedy; and the sock, similar to a light moccasin, denotes a comedy.

From Time Magazine Archive

Jack Dempsey, conqueree of Gene Tunney, left the realm of sock for the Manhattan world of buskin last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

She traced her fingers over the sock and buskin masks—one sad, tragic face and one happy, comedic one—waiting for the door to open.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

And when I questioned her, I found that they wore what might well be some kind of buskin.

From The Trembling of the Veil by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats

Also, ye of the bow and the buskin, praised be your peer, Now, henceforth and forever,—O latest to whom I upraise Hand and heart and voice!

From Browning and the Dramatic Monologue by S. S. (Samuel Silas) Curry