hobnail

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a short nail with a broad, thick head, driven into a boot sole to strengthen it or improve grip

   The hobnails left a pattern of small dents across the wooden floor.

2. 2
   verb

   to fit boots or shoes with hobnails

   The cobbler hobnailed the work boots for use on rough ground.

A compound of hob + nail. Hob here denotes a short, thick peg or projection; the word came to name the broad-headed nails driven into heavy boot soles and, by extension, footwear fitted with them.

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