hobnail

[ hob-neyl ]

noun
  1. a large-headed nail for protecting the soles of heavy boots and shoes.

  2. a small allover pattern consisting of small tufts, as on fabrics, or of small studs, as on glass.

Origin of hobnail

1
First recorded in 1585–95; hob1 + nail

Words Nearby hobnail

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use hobnail in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hobnail

hobnail

/ (ˈhɒbˌneɪl) /


noun
    • a short nail with a large head for protecting the soles of heavy footwear

    • (as modifier): hobnail boots

Origin of hobnail

1
C16: from hob 1 (in the archaic sense: peg) + nail

Derived forms of hobnail

  • hobnailed, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012