shoulder

Meaning

Noun

1. The part of an animal's body between the base of the neck and forearm socket.
2. The part of an animal's body between the base of the neck and forearm socket.
3. The part of an animal's body between the base of the neck and forearm socket.
4. The part of an animal's body between the base of the neck and forearm socket.
5. Anything forming a shape resembling a human shoulder.
6. A shelf between two levels.
7. A shelf between two levels.
8. A shelf between two levels.
9. A shelf between two levels.
10. A shelf between two levels.
11. The flat portion of type that is below the bevelled portion that joins up with the face.
12. The portion between the neck and the body.
13. The portion between the neck and the body.
14. The portion between the neck and the body.
15. (figuratively) That which supports or sustains; support.
16. The part of a key between the cuts and the bow.
17. The part of a wave that has not yet broken.
18. A season or a time of day when there is relatively little air traffic.

Verb

1. (transitive) To push (a person or thing) using one's shoulder.
2. (broadly, transitive) To bully, manipulate or pull rank on (somebody).
3. (transitive) To put (something) on one's shoulders.
4. (transitive) To place (something) against one's shoulders.
5. (figuratively, transitive) To bear a burden, as a financial obligation.
6. (figuratively, transitive) To accept responsibility for.
7. (transitive) To form a shape resembling a shoulder.
8. (intransitive) To move by or as if by using one's shoulders.
9. (transitive) To round and slightly raise the top edges of slate shingles so that they form a tighter fit at the lower edge and can be swung aside to expose the nail.
10. (intransitive) To slope downwards from the crest and whitewater portion of a wave.
11. (archaic, slang, transitive) Of a servant: to embezzle money from (the employer).

Synonyms

bear

🐻

upper arm

arm

shove

wing

🪽

carry on shoulder

jostle

verge

push

berm

assume

elbow

shoulder joint

thrust

hard shoulder

force

replat

carry

nudge

shoulder blade

hold

hustle

take on

propel

undertake

verge of a road

carry on the back

push aside

ram

🐏

blade

knock

drive

articulatio humeri

bump

send

set-off

share

sheathe

shoulderblade

shoulder-blade

shoulders

sidewalk

singlet

stuff

sustain

take over

take up

teat

tuck

commit oneself

Translations

épaule

hombro

Schulter

spalla

schouder

ombro

espatlla

ώμος

Achsel

schultern

berm

espatla

omuz

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈʃəʊɫdə/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: schuldre

Inherited from Old English: sculdra

Cognate with Old Frisian: skuldere

Cognate with Western Frisian: skouder

Cognate with Middle Low German: scholder

Cognate with Low German: Schuller

Cognate with Dutch: schouder

Cognate with German: Schulter

In summary

From Middle English schuldre, sholder, shulder, schulder, from Old English sculdra, sculdor (“shoulder”), from Proto-West Germanic *skuldru (“shoulder”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to Proto-Germanic *skelduz (“shield”), see shield. Cognate with Old Frisian skuldere (“shoulder”) (West Frisian skouder (“shoulder”)), Middle Low German scholder (“shoulder”), Low German Schuller, Schulder (“shoulder”), Dutch schouder (“shoulder”), German Schulter (“shoulder”).