tabi

[ tah-bee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural ta·bi, ta·bis.

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.

Origin of tabi¹

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

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

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

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

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

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

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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