n. A part of the body at the side and back of the bottom of the neck, and at the side and top of the chest; collectively, the parts about the scapula or blade-bone; the scapular region, including both bony and soft parts; especially, in man, the lateral prominence of these parts, where the upper arm-bone is articulated, having as its bony basis the united ends of the collar-bone and the blade-bone, overlaid by the mass of the deltoid muscle. See also cut under shoulder-blade.n. Figuratively, sustaining power; strength to support burdens: as, to take the work or the blame on one's own shoulders.n. The shoulder-joint.n. The parts of an animal corresponding to the shoulder of man, including some other parts, and sometimes the whole, fore quarter of an animal: thus, a shoulder of mutton includes parts of the neck, chest, and foreleg.n. In ornithology, the carpal joint, or wrist-joint, of a bird's wing; the bend of the wing, which, when the wing is folded, fits against the shoulder proper, and appears in the place of this.n. Some part projecting like a shoulder; specifically, in anatomy, the tuberculum of a rib, separated from the head by the neck, and usually articulating with the transverse process of a vertebra. See tuberculum, and cut under rib.n. A prominent or projecting part below the top; a rounded projection: as, the shoulder of a hill: especially, a projection on an object to oppose or limit motion or form an abutment; a horizontal or rectangular projection from the body of a thing.n. Specifically— The butting-ring on the axle of a vehicle.n. The projection of a lamp-chimney just below the contraction or neck.n. In carpentry, the finished end of a tenoned rail or mullion; the part from which the tenon projects, and which fits close against the piece in which the mortise is cut. See cut under mortise.n. In printing, the projection at the top of the shank of a type beyond the face of the letter. See cut under type.n. In archery, the broadest part of a barbed arrow-head; the width across the barbs, or from the shaft to the extremity of one of the barbs.n. The upper part of the blade of a sword.n. In a vase, jug, bottle, etc., the projection below the neck.n. In a knife, the enlarged part between the tang and the blade.n. In angling, a feather to the body of an artificial fly.n. The back part of a sail.n. A projecting edge or ridge; a bur.n. In fortification, the angle of a bastion included between the face and the flank. Also called shoulder-angle. See cut under bastion.n. In the leather-trade, a name given to tanned or curried hides and kips.n. In entomology:n. One of the humeri or front upper corners of an insect's thorax: but in Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Orthoptera the term generally denotes the upper front angles of the wing-covers.n. A shoulder-moth.To push or thrust with the shoulder energetically or with violence.To take upon the shoulder or shoulders: as, to shoulder a basket; specifically (military), to carry vertically or nearly so, as a musket in one hand and resting against the arm and the hollow of the shoulder, the exact position varying in different countries and at different times.To form a shoulder or abutment on, by cutting or casting, as in a shaft or a beam.To push forward, as with the shoulder foremost; force one's way by or as if by using the shoulder, as through a crowd.n. In horticulture, the squared or expanded base of a bunch of grapes, usually produced by an extra branch in the cluster.