Cleat Definition
klēt
cleats
noun
A strip of wood or iron used to strengthen or support the surface to which it is attached.
American Heritage
A projecting piece of metal or hard rubber attached to the underside of a shoe to provide traction.
American Heritage
A small metal or wood fitting, specif. one with projecting ends, fixed as to the deck of a ship and used to secure a rope.
Webster's New World
A pair of shoes with such projections on the soles.
American Heritage
A piece of wood, metal, or plastic, often wedge-shaped, fastened to something to strengthen it or give secure footing: cleats are used on gangways, under shelves, on the soles or heels of shoes, etc.
Webster's New World
verb
To supply, support, secure, or strengthen with a cleat.
American Heritage
To fasten to or with a cleat.
Webster's New World
Origin of Cleat
-
From Middle English clete, from Old English clēat, from Proto-Germanic *klautaz (“firm lump”), from Proto-Indo-European *glei- (“to glue, stick together, form into a ball”). Cognate with Dutch kloot (“ball; testicle”) and German Kloß. See also clay and clout.
From Wiktionary
Middle English clete from Old English clēat lump, wedge
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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