# leather

Pronunciation: US say "LE-thur" /ˈlɛðɚ/; UK say "LE-thuh" /ˈlɛðə/

## Noun

1. A tough material made from animal skin treated by tanning, used for shoes, bags, and clothing; most often from cattle unless another animal is named.
   - Simple: A strong material made from animal skin that is treated so it lasts a long time.
   - _The craftsman cut the leather into narrow strips for the belt._
   - _Genuine leather develops a rich patina after years of handling._
3. Clothing made from animal skin, especially the protective gear often worn by motorcycle riders.
   - Simple: Clothes made from animal skin, often worn by people who ride motorcycles.
   - _The rider's leather was scuffed from years on the road._
   - _Racers wear leather to protect their skin if they slide on the track._
4. A piece of leather used for polishing, such as buffing metal or glass to a shine.
   - Simple: A piece of leather used for cleaning and shining things.
   - _He buffed the brass fittings with a damp leather until they gleamed._
   - _A clean leather brings out the shine on a pair of dress shoes._
8. Clipping of fruit leather. — Clipping of fruit leather.
   - Simple: Clipping of fruit leather. A chewy snack made by drying puréed fruit into thin sheets.
   - _We spread the apple purée thin so the leather would dry evenly._
   - _Each strip of leather peeled cleanly off the baking sheet._
10. A punch, especially a forceful blow delivered with the fist in boxing.
   - Simple: A hard hit with the fist, especially in boxing.
   - _The champion absorbed leather after leather without flinching._
   - _He slipped the jab and answered with a sharp leather to the body._
11. The ball used in cricket or soccer. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: The ball used in a game of cricket or soccer.
   - _The batsman middled the leather and sent it racing to the rope._
   - _He caught the leather cleanly and cleared it from the box._
15. A good defensive play in baseball, especially one made with skill using the glove.
   - Simple: A skillful defensive play in baseball, like a great catch or stop.
   - _The rookie flashed serious leather to rob a sure base hit._
   - _Their infield played outstanding leather all season long._

## Adjective

2. Made of leather.
   - Simple: Made from leather.
   - _The armchair has a smooth leather surface that creaks when you sit._
   - _They chose leather seats when ordering the car._
9. Describing a person who wears leather clothing (motorcycle jacket, chaps, boots) as a marker of a gay subculture associated with sadomasochism.
   - Simple: Describing a person who wears leather clothing as part of a gay group known for bold sexual tastes.
   - _She wrote a history of the leather scene in 1970s San Francisco._
   - _He felt at home among the leather regulars at the club._
14. Describing a family-like bond established through mutually agreed sexual or romantic non-conformity, as found within the leather community.
   - Simple: Describing a chosen family formed by people through agreed sexual or romantic bonds.
   - _She was welcomed into his leather family as a daughter of choice._
   - _Many in the leather community build lifelong families that outlast romantic pairings._

## Verb

5. To strike something or someone with great force.
   - Simple: To hit something or someone very hard.
   - _The striker leathered the ball into the top corner of the net._
   - _Players who leather the puck that hard risk shattering the glass._
6. To spank or beat someone using a leather belt or strap.
   - Simple: To hit someone with a leather belt or strap as punishment.
   - _In those days a teacher might leather a boy for talking back._
   - _The farmer leathered the stable hand for losing the horse._
7. To cover or wrap something with leather.
   - Simple: To put a leather covering over something.
   - _Craftsmen leather the handles so they feel warm to the grip._
   - _She leathered the old trunk to give it a finished look._
13. To develop a tough, leathery surface, or to cause something to develop one.
   - Simple: To dry out and form a tough, skin-like surface on top.
   - _Slices of meat leather quickly when smoked over low heat._
   - _The glaze began to leather as it set on the cooling pot._

## Noun

12. A person's own skin, in dated and humorous use. *(dated)*
   - Simple: A playful, old-fashioned word for a person's skin.
   - _She was glad to save her leather when the brawl broke out._
   - _After a week in the desert, his leather was dry and cracked._

## Origin

From Middle English lether, from Old English leþer ("leather"), going back through Proto-West Germanic and Proto-Germanic *leþrą. It was possibly borrowed from a Proto-Celtic word, and is related to Dutch leer, German Leder, and Swedish läder.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/leather (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).