Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SOCK, n. [Sax. socc; L. soccus; Sw. socka; G. socke; D. zok; Dan. sok; Fr. socque; It. socco; Sp. zoco, zueco, a wooden shoe, a plinth, whence zocalo, Fr. socle. Qu. L. sicco, to dry, Gr. σακκος, a bag.]

1. The shoe of the ancient actors of comedy. Hence the word is used for comedy, and opposed to buskin or tragedy. Great Fletcher never treads in buskin here, / Nor greater Jonson dares in socks appear. – Dryden.
2. A garment for the foot, like the foot of a stocking.
3. A plowshare. – Ed. Encyc.