hobnail
Americannoun
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a large-headed nail for protecting the soles of heavy boots and shoes.
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a small allover pattern consisting of small tufts, as on fabrics, or of small studs, as on glass.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hobnail
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The word "hobnail" first appears in a text attributed to Shakespeare, but it's difficult to imagine it arose from a creative poetic act.
From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2022
A hobnail or a piece of wampum far exceeds it.
From Forbes ● Aug. 18, 2014
The air is filled with the stamp of hobnail boots landing on concrete on the command of a sergeant major.
From BBC ● May 18, 2012
Slit sleeves appeared to fall away from jacket shoulders; hobnail boots sprouted gnarls, and stilettos had carved iris heels.
From New York Times ● Oct. 5, 2010
It was a small man, with big steel spectacles, enormous hobnail boots, a huge pack, a blanket roll, and a coil of curious, soft rope around 195 his waist.
From Boy Scouts in Glacier Park The Adventures of Two Young Easterners in the Heart of the High Rockies by Walter Prichard Eaton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
