shoulder

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The part of the body between the neck and the top of the arm.

   My shoulder hurts after carrying that heavy bag.

2. 2
   verb

   To accept and deal with a difficult duty or responsibility.

   She had to shoulder the burden of running the family business.

3. 3
   noun

   The edge along the side of a road where cars can stop.

   The car broke down and pulled onto the shoulder.

4. 4
   verb

   To push someone or something with your shoulder.

   He shouldered his way through the crowd.

From Middle English schuldre, sholder, shulder, schulder, from Old English sculdra, sculdor (“shoulder”), from Proto-West Germanic *skuldru (“shoulder”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to Proto-Germanic *skelduz (“shield”), see shield. Cognate with Old Frisian skuldere (“shoulder”) (West Frisian skouder (“shoulder”)), Middle Low German scholder (“shoulder”), Low German Schuller, Schulder (“shoulder”), Dutch schouder (“shoulder”), German Schulter (“shoulder”).

Topics