heelball

[ heel-bawl ]

noun

1. a substance composed of lampblack and wax used for making rubbings or for polishing shoes.

heelball

/ ˈhiːlˌbɔːl /

noun

1. 1. a black waxy substance used by shoemakers to blacken the edges of heels and soles
   2. a similar substance used to take rubbings, esp brass rubbings

Word History and Origins

Origin of heelball¹

1790–1800; heel ¹ + ball ¹, originally the ball or undersurface of the heel

Example Sentences

So, if you wish, take a rubbing, with heelball borrowed from the cobbler, of the inscriptions round the rims of the great bells; but be careful even then, for the ringers have left one carelessly tilted, and if the rope should slip, nineteen hundredweight of brazen metal may jam you against the framework.

From Project Gutenberg

As this part of an Italian violin is not cut so mechanically as many people imagine, another and perhaps quicker way, if means are to hand, is to use thin paper and with some heelball, used by shoemakers, rub the edges that may be felt through and under the paper held in position against it.

From Project Gutenberg

The use of raw linseed oil only is allowed for redressing and the application for such purpose of any kind of wax or varnish, including heelball, is strictly prohibited.

From Project Gutenberg

When he lifted his head you might see that, notwithstanding the ruggedness of his face, he was a good looking man, with strong, well-proportioned features, in which, even on Sundays, when he scrubbed his face unmercifully, there would still remain lines suggestive of ingrained rosin and heelball.

From Project Gutenberg