Pronunciation: [ʌnʃˈɒd] (IPA) 
The word "unshod" means "without shoes" and is spelled /ʌnʃɒd/ in IPA. The first syllable is pronounced with the "uh" sound, as in the word "cup." The second syllable has the short "o" sound, as in "lot." The "sh" sound is created by the combination of the letters "s" and "h," which produce a voiceless postalveolar fricative. Finally, the word ends with the "d" sound, similar to the word "dog."
Unshod is an adjective that describes something or someone as being without shoes or footwear. It refers to the act of not wearing any type of shoe or being barefoot. The term is often used to describe the state or condition of a person's feet when they are not covered by any kind of shoe or protective covering.
The word unshod can be traced back to the Old English word "unscod," which means “barefoot.” It emphasizes the absence of any kind of footwear, whether it be sandals, slippers, or boots. It implies a natural state, often associated with walking or being outdoors without the restriction of shoes.
In a figurative sense, unshod can also be used to describe something that is lacking protection or support. For example, in the context of horseback riding, unshod refers to a horse that does not have horseshoes attached to its hooves. Similarly, in a metaphorical sense, someone who is unshod can be seen as vulnerable or exposed, lacking the means to handle difficult situations or protect themselves adequately.
Overall, unshod is a term that carries the connotation of being barefoot, physically or metaphorically, suggesting a state of naturalness, vulnerability, or lack of protection or support.
Having no shoes.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "unshod" originates from Old English, with its roots in the combination of the prefix "un-" (meaning "not") and the verb "shod" (past tense of "shoe"). "Shoe" originally entered English from Old English "scoh", which derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*skohwō" and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root "*skeu-" (to cover or conceal). Hence, the etymology of "unshod" reflects the negation of being shod or wearing shoes.
