moccasin Definition
- 1a soft leather slipper or shoe, strictly one without a separate heel, having the sole turned up on all sides and sewn to the upper in a simple gathered seam, in a style originating among North American Indians.
- 2a venomous North American pit viper that typically has a coppery-brown coloration with darker brown markings.
- 3a type of U.S. Navy torpedo boat used in World War II.
Using moccasin: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "moccasin" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She wore a pair of moccasins to the powwow.
Example
The snake was identified as a moccasin.
Example
The moccasin was used for coastal patrols and escort duties during World War II.
moccasin Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with moccasin
Example
If you were in my moccasins, you would understand why I made that decision.
to try to understand someone's experiences, challenges, or point of view before judging them
Example
Before criticizing her, try walking a mile in her moccasins and see how difficult her job is.
Example
The moccasin telegraph had already spread the news about the incident before it was reported in the media.
Origins of moccasin
from Virginia Algonquian 'makasin'
Summary: moccasin in Brief
A 'moccasin' [ˈmɑːkəsɪn] is a soft leather slipper or shoe without a separate heel, with the sole turned up on all sides and sewn to the upper in a simple gathered seam. It originated among North American Indians and is now used as a casual shoe. 'Moccasin' also refers to a venomous North American pit viper and a type of U.S. Navy torpedo boat used in World War II. Phrases like 'be in someone's moccasins' and 'walk a mile in someone's moccasins' denote understanding another's situation, while 'moccasin telegraph' refers to the spreading of news or gossip by word of mouth.