seven-league boots

English

Tom Thumb stealing a pair of seven-league boots

Noun

seven-league boots pl (normally plural, singular seven-league boot)

  1. (folklore, fairy tale) A pair of boots enabling the wearer to cross seven leagues at one stride.
    • 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XL, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. [], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, [], →OCLC, page 211:
      The Count strode away as if he had secured seven-league boots, and in less time than it seemed possible, though it was an age to Lady Anne (...), he returned with two bank of England notes in his hand, which he put into the bailiff's, saying,—"There's your money for yourself and all. You have proper behavour, and will make no say of this littel matter."

Usage notes

  • The singular form is rare.

Translations

Further reading

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