outsole
UK[ˈaʊt.səʊl]US[ˈaʊt.soʊl]
n
the outer sole of a shoe or boot, which is in contact with the ground.
Morpheme Breakdown
out
sole
out
outer, external, outward, away.
sole
Etymology
the word 'outsole' is a transparent compound formed within modern english. its first element, 'out,' derives from old english 'ūt,' meaning "out, outside, or external," which has a deep proto-germanic origin. the second element, 'sole,' entered english from old french 'sole,' tracing back to latin 'solea,' meaning "sandal, bottom of a shoe," and metaphorically "a flat fish," likely from 'solum,' meaning "base, bottom, ground." the compound logically designates the outermost layer of a shoe's sole, the part designed for direct contact with the ground, distinguishing it from the inner or mid sole layers.
Analysis
Structure: out + sole
out: (old english) a prefix meaning "outer, external, outward, away."
sole: (latin via old english and french) the bottom part of a foot, shoe, or boot.
Examples
the rugged outsole of the hiking boot provides excellent traction on wet rocks.
you can tell the shoe is worn out when the tread on the outsole becomes smooth.
the manufacturer uses recycled rubber to make the durable outsoles.