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

“They’re not like other gulls,” says Paul Buskin, an ornithologist who leads the community group Kittiwakes upon the Tyne.

From The Guardian

“It’s a world first that they live inland, and North Shields is where the story began. These kittiwakes are part of the local heritage,” says Buskin.

From The Guardian

Landlords put up the deterrents in an attempt to stop the birds damaging the brickwork, but Buskin says he’s never seen kittiwakes do any harm.

From The Guardian

“In that case, a lot of people will see them in pain. They don’t get rescued straight away,” Buskin says.

From The Guardian