shoulder

shoul•der

[[t]ˈʃoʊl dər[/t]] n.

1) anat. the part on either side of the human body where the arm joins with the trunk, extending from the base of the neck to the upper arm

2) anat. Usu., shoulders. these two parts together with the part of the back joining them

3) zool. a corresponding part in animals

4) zool. the upper foreleg and adjoining parts of a sheep, goat, etc

5) the part of a garment that fits over the shoulder

6) anat. zool. a shoulderlike part or projection

7) coo a cut of meat that includes the upper joint of the foreleg

8) inf Often, shoulders. capacity for bearing responsibility or blame:

The duty rests on our shoulders[/ex]

9) a steplike change in the contour of an object

10) pri the flat surface on a type body extending beyond the base of the letter or character

11) trs a border alongside a roadway

12) to push with or as if with the shoulder

13) to support or carry on the shoulder or shoulders:

to shoulder a knapsack[/ex]

14) to assume as a responsibility:

We shouldered the expense[/ex]

15) to push with or as if with the shoulder:

shouldering through a crowd[/ex]

•

- shoulder to shoulder

Etymology: bef. 900; ME sholder, s(c) hulder, OE sculdor, c. OFris skuldere, OHG sculter(r) a