boot
UK[buːt]US[buːt]
n
A type of footwear that covers the foot and ankle, and sometimes the lower leg.
n
A compartment for luggage in a car.
v
To kick something hard.
v
To start a computer by loading its operating system.
Etymology
The word 'boot' has a long history in the Germanic language family, tracing back to the Old French 'bote', which itself likely derived from a Frankish or other Germanic source. This Germanic root is thought to be related to the Old Norse 'bót', meaning 'remedy' or 'advantage', possibly hinting at the protective nature of the footwear. The modern English spelling and broad sense of a protective covering were established by the late Middle English period. The diverse modern meanings, from footwear and car compartments to computer startup procedures, are all metaphorical extensions from this core idea of a protective casing or an initiating action that 'kicks' a system into operation.
Analysis
The word 'boot' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It is not productively formed from smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern English.
Examples
He pulled on his leather boots before walking through the muddy field.
Please put the shopping bags in the boot of the car.
You may need to boot the computer again after installing the new software.