buskin

[ buhs-kin ]

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. Compare sock ¹( def 3 ).
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.

buskin

/ ˈbʌskɪn /

noun

1. (formerly) a sandal-like covering for the foot and leg, reaching the calf and usually laced
2. Also calledcothurnus a thick-soled laced half boot resembling this, worn esp by actors of ancient Greece
3. the buskin literary.
   tragic drama

Word History and Origins

Origin of buskin¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of buskin¹

C16: perhaps from Spanish borzeguí ; related to Old French bouzequin , Italian borzacchino , of obscure origin

Example Sentences

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 Literature

Her little feet, true realizations of the typical Andalusian or Chinese foot, and which would have been lost in Cinderella's glass slippers, were shod with half-antique buskins of a tender lilac color, sprinkled with pearls.

From Project Gutenberg

He will have no flowing or trailing vestments; no "Attic buskins," no "Persian sandals."

From Project Gutenberg

Attired with theatrical buskins, a Phrygian cap and a blue chlamys over a transparent tunic, she was taken to the foot of the altar and seated there.

From Project Gutenberg

A lion's head for a cap, a collar, and buskins are the sole articles of dress worn.

From Project Gutenberg