unshod

Everyday

1. (formal, literary) Unshod means not wearing shoes; barefoot. tree →
2. An unshod horse has no horseshoes on its hooves. tree →

In the lessons

An old-fashioned, literary word found in stories and poems: «the unshod children ran along the beach». On farms, an unshod horse has no metal shoes. Plain word: barefoot.

Examples

• The unshod children ran along the sandy beach. tree →
• Some horses are kept unshod and walk on soft ground. tree →
• In the old tale, the poor boy walked unshod through the snow. tree →
• The blacksmith put shoes on the unshod pony. tree →
• Don't go unshod on the hot pavement. tree →

Note

Literary; in everyday talk say «barefoot» or «with no shoes on». «Shod» is an old past form of «shoe» (to put shoes on): the horse was shod.

In Jewish tradition

In Jeremiah it is a warning to Israel not to run after idols until her feet are bare and her throat dry.

Interpretation. Tradition reads it as God's call to stop chasing foreign gods, which wear Israel out and bring exile and hardship.

Examples

• Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst; but thou saidst: 'There is no hope; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.' (Prophets JER.2.25, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Literary; in everyday talk say «barefoot» or «with no shoes on». «Shod» is an old past form of «shoe» (to put shoes on): the horse was shod.