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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

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

One wore tight, high boots, and the others a sort of white buskin, with ankle straps.

From Astounding Stories, March, 1931 by Various

Though in Hebrew, in Sanscrit, in Choctaw, you write, Sweet singer who gave us the Voices of Night, Though in buskin or slipper your song may be shod, Or the velvety verse that Evangeline trod.

From Life of Oliver Wendell Holmes by Brown, E. E.