sole

¹

[sohl]

adjective

1. being the only one; only.

   the sole living relative.

   Synonyms: solitary

2. being the only one of the kind; unsurpassed; unique; matchless.

   the sole brilliance of the gem.

   Synonyms: individual

3. belonging or pertaining to one individual or group to the exclusion of all others; exclusive.

   the sole right to the estate.

4. functioning automatically or with independent power.

   the sole authority.

5. Chiefly Law.,  not married; unmarried.

6. without company or companions; lonely.

   the sole splendor of her life.

7. Archaic.,  alone.

sole

²

[sohl]

noun

1. the bottom or under surface of the foot.

2. the corresponding under part of a shoe, boot, or the like, or this part exclusive of the heel.

3. the bottom, under surface, or lower part of anything.

4. Carpentry.

   1. the underside of a plane.

   2. soleplate.

5. Golf.,  the part of the head of the club that touches the ground.

verb (used with object)

soled, soling 

1. to furnish with a sole, as a shoe.

2. Golf.,  to place the sole of (a club) on the ground, as in preparation for a stroke.

sole

³

[sohl]

noun

plural

sole ,

plural

soles .

1. a European flatfish, Solea solea, used for food.

2. any other flatfish of the families Soleidae and Cynoglossidae, having a hooklike snout.

sole

¹

/ səʊl /

noun

1. the underside of the foot

2. the underside of a shoe

3. 1. the bottom of a furrow

   2. the bottom of a plough

4. the underside of a golf-club head

5. the bottom of an oven, furnace, etc

verb

1. to provide (a shoe) with a sole

2. golf to rest (the club) on the ground, as when preparing to make a stroke

sole

²

/ səʊl /

adjective

1. (prenominal) being the only one; only

2. (prenominal) of or relating to one individual or group and no other

   sole rights on a patent

3. law having no wife or husband See also feme sole

4. an archaic word for solitary

sole

³

/ səʊl /

noun

1. any tongue-shaped flatfish of the family Soleidae, esp Solea solea ( European sole ): most common in warm seas and highly valued as food fishes

2. any of certain other similar fishes

Other Word Forms

• soleless adjective
• soleness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sole¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English sol(e), soul(e) “unmarried, single, alone,” from Old French sol, sol(e), sul, from Latin sōlus “alone, on one's own, lonely”

Origin of sole²

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English (noun) sole, sol(le), from Old French sole, sol(le), soul, from Vulgar Latin, Medieval Latin sola, from Latin solea “plain sandal (fastened with thongs); sole (fish); foundation (timber),” derivative of solum “base, floor, bottom”

Origin of sole³

First recorded in 1250–1300; sole ² ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of sole¹

C14: via Old French from Latin solea sandal; probably related to solum the ground

Origin of sole²

C14: from Old French soule, from Latin sōlus alone

Origin of sole³

C14: via Old French from Vulgar Latin sola (unattested), from Latin solea a sandal (from the fish's shape)

Example Sentences

We used satellite pictures, which are no longer the sole preserve of intelligence agencies, and matched the detail they showed with the videos.

From BBC

In Gaza, where Israel is also the occupying power, Hamas has been the sole ruler since 2007.

From BBC

When doing risk assessments, Levin said, police and security professionals need to be cognizant that politicians themselves are no longer the sole targets for political violence.

From Los Angeles Times

He said his partner was the sole legal and beneficial owner of the property.

From BBC

Racing will be held in the Republic of Ireland, where the sole fixture takes place at Cork.

From BBC

Related Words

• exclusive 
• lone 
• one and only 
• remaining www.thesaurus.com