tabi

[ tah-bee ]

noun

, plural ta·bi, ta·bis.

1. a covering for the foot, similar to a sock, having a separate pouchlike stall for the large toe, worn especially in Japan, often with zoris.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tabi¹

1890–95; < Japanese, perhaps < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese dānpí single-skin

Example Sentences

I discarded boots and walked with my skirts up to my knees, bare legs and Japanese tabi, as did J—— and C——.

From Project Gutenberg

I have heard of silk tabi, but never saw any, and I think they are worn only by geisha, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

But everybody wears the white cotton tabi, and nothing could be prettier than a little foot in this cleft envelope.

From Project Gutenberg

This constable was a fine, dignified-looking fellow, but so poor that his toes were showing through his blue cloth tabi.

From Project Gutenberg

This is a condition which is continually experienced, for the cotton tabi are wet through at every shower.

From Project Gutenberg