Buskin

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Buskin \Bus"kin\, n. [Prob. from OF. brossequin, or D. broosken.
     See {Brodekin}.]
     1. A strong, protecting covering for the foot, coming some
        distance up the leg.
        [1913 Webster]
  


              The hunted red deer's undressed hide
              Their hairy buskins well supplied.    --Sir W.
                                                    Scott.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A similar covering for the foot and leg, made with very
        thick soles, to give an appearance of elevation to the
        stature; -- worn by tragic actors in ancient Greece and
        Rome. Used as a symbol of tragedy, or the tragic drama, as
        distinguished from comedy.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Great Fletcher never treads in buskins here,
              No greater Jonson dares in socks appear. --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  buskin
       n : a boot reaching halfway up to the knee [syn: {chukka boot},
           {combat boot}, {desert boot}, {half boot}, {top boot}]