n. | 1. | (Anat.) The joint, or the region of the joint, by which the fore limb is connected with the body or with the shoulder girdle; the projection formed by the bones and muscles about that joint. |
| 2. | The flesh and muscles connected with the shoulder joint; the upper part of the back; that part of the human frame on which it is most easy to carry a heavy burden; - often used in the plural. |
| 3. | Fig.: That which supports or sustains; support. |
| 4. | That which resembles a human shoulder, as any protuberance or projection from the body of a thing. |
| 5. | The upper joint of the fore leg and adjacent parts of an animal, dressed for market; as, a shoulder of mutton. |
| 6. | (Fort.) The angle of a bastion included between the face and flank. See Illust. of Bastion. |
| 7. | An abrupt projection which forms an abutment on an object, or limits motion, etc., as the projection around a tenon at the end of a piece of timber, the part of the top of a type which projects beyond the base of the raised character, etc. |
v. t. | 1. | To push or thrust with the shoulder; to push with violence; to jostle. |
| 2. | To take upon the shoulder or shoulders; as, to shoulder a basket; hence, to assume the burden or responsibility of; as, to shoulder blame; to shoulder a debt. |
v. i. | 1. | To push with the shoulder; to make one's way, as through a crowd, by using the shoulders; to move swaying the shoulders from side to side. |