horseshoe
horseshoe Lexical Profile
horseshoe Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A U-shaped plate, traditionally made of iron, nailed to the bottom of a horse's hoof to protect it against hard surfaces and wear.
"The blacksmith heated the metal until it glowed before hammering it into a horseshoe."
Something having the characteristic U-shape of a horse's shoe, such as a physical object, geographical formation, or architectural element.
"The river formed a massive horseshoe as it wound its way through the canyon."
North American A lawn game in which players take turns tossing U-shaped metal rings at a stake in the ground to score points.
"Every summer, my grandfather organizes a tournament of horseshoes at the family barbecue."
• verb
To fit a horse or other equine animal with protective metal shoes.
"The farrier arrived at the stables to horseshoe the new mare before her first long ride."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'horssho', literally combining the words 'horse' and 'shoe', referring to the protective iron plates historically nailed to the hooves of working equines.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.