stocking

stock·ing

a closefitting covering, usually knitted, for the foot and, usually, most of the leg; specif., a women's garment, usually made of sheer nylon or silk, covering the leg to the thigh
something resembling a stocking or sock, as a patch of color on the leg of an animal
Christmas stocking

Origin of stocking

from stock, in obsolete sense, “leg covering” + -ing

stocking Idioms

in one's stocking feet

wearing stockings or socks but no shoes

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MLA Style

"stocking." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/STOCKING>.

APA Style

stocking. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/STOCKING

stocking

noun

a. A close-fitting, usually knitted covering for the foot and leg, often made of sheer fabric as nylon or silk and rising high on the leg.
b. A sock.
Something that resembles such a covering, especially:
a. An elasticized garment that exerts pressure on the leg to improve blood flow and is used in the treatment of various circulatory disorders or sometimes following surgery.
b. A bag in the shape of a large sock that is often decorated and hung on a mantle for the deposit of Christmas presents.
c. A white marking on the lower leg of a dark-colored horse, extending from the hoof to at least the hock or knee.

Origin of stocking

From dialectal stock from Middle English stokke leg covering probably from stok stock ; see stock.

Related Forms:

stock′inged
adjective

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"stocking." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/STOCKING>.

APA Style

stocking. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/STOCKING

Noun

(plural stockings)

A soft garment worn on the foot and lower leg, usually knit or woven, worn under shoes or other footwear.
A pair of stockings.

Usage notes

Stocking may refer either to men's socks or to women's hose, but rarely to socks when worn by women. However, this usage appears somewhat variable.

Origin

From stock (“cover with material") +"Ž -ing. Corruption of old plural -en, i.e. stocken, now singular.

Verb

Present participle of stock.
I've almost finished stocking these groceries.

Origin

From stock +"Ž -ing.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"stocking." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/STOCKING>.

APA Style

stocking. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/STOCKING

stocking - Medical Definition

n.

1. A close-fitting, usually knitted covering for the foot and leg, often made of sheer fabric as nylon or silk and rising high on the leg.
2. A sock.
Something that resembles such a covering, especially:
1. An elasticized garment that exerts pressure on the leg to improve blood flow and is used in the treatment of various circulatory disorders or sometimes following surgery.
2. A bag in the shape of a large sock that is often decorated and hung on a mantle for the deposit of Christmas presents.
3. A white marking on the lower leg of a dark-colored horse, extending from the hoof to at least the hock or knee.

Related Forms: