Horseshoe

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈhɔːs.ʃuː/

Definitions

1. A U-shaped metal plate nailed to a horse's hoof for protection, or any object shaped like this curved form
2. A curved metal piece designed to be attached to a horse's hoof for protection against wear ; an item or shape resembling the curved form of the metal plate used on horses
3. A U-shaped iron fitting fastened to the hooves of horses to guard them from damage ; any object that has the characteristic semicircular shape of this metal fitting

Etymology: The word looks like a plain pairing of "horse" and "shoe," but the second half is the surprise. "Shoe" comes from Old English "sċōh," and in Middle English the compound was written "hors scho," so the shoe was once a separate word the horse wore. The modern spelling of the first part is the older one still: "horse" descends from Old English "hors," and the Proto-Germanic root behind it, "hrussą," is also the source of the Old English word. Over time, "scho" dropped its initial sound sequence and softened into "shoe," while "hors" stayed nearly unchanged. Together they settled into the single word we use for the iron U-shape nailed to a hoof. Its shape has since been borrowed for other objects, which is why the same term now describes anything bent into that semicircle.

Synonyms: iron shoe, hoof protector