King James Bible Dictionary

SHOULDER, noun

1. The joint by which the arm of a human being or the fore leg of a quadruped is connected with the body; or in man, the projection formed by the bones called scapula or shoulder blades, which extend from the basis of the neck in a horizontal direction.

2. The upper joint of the fore leg of an animal cut for th emarket; as a shoulder of mutton.

3. Shoulders, in the plural, the upper part of the back.

Adown her shoulders fell her length of hair. Dryden.

4. Figuratively, support; sustaining power; or that which elevates and sustains.

For on thy shoulders do I build my seat. Shak.

5. Among artificers, something like the human shoulder; a horizontal or rectangular projection from the body of a thing.

SHOULDER, verb transitive

1. To push or thrust with the shoulder; to push with violence.

Around her numberless the rabble flow'd,

Should'ring each other, crowding for a view. Rowe.

As they the earth would shoulder from her seat. Spenser.

2. To take upon the shoulder; as, to shoulder a basket.

SHOULDER-BELT, noun [shoulder and belt.] A belt that passes across the shoulder.

SHOULDER-BLADE, noun [shoulder and blade.] The bone of the shoulder, or blade bone, broad and triangular, covering the hind part of the ribs; called by anatomists scapula and omoplata.

SHOULDER-CLAPPER, noun [shoulder and clap.] One that claps another on the shoulder, or that uses great familiarity. [Not in use.]

SHOULDER-KNOT, noun [shoulder and knot.] An ornamental knot of ribin or lace worn on the shoulder; an epaulet.

SHOULDER-SHOTTEN, adjective [shoulder and shot.] Strained in the shoulder, as a horse.

SHOULDER-SLIP, noun [shoulder and slip.] Dislocation of the shoulder or of the humerus.