What does "sock" mean?

Sock: The shoe worn by actors of comedy in ancient Greece and Rome, -- used as a sumbol of comedy, of the comic drams, as distinguished from tragedy, which is symbolized by the buskin. Great Fletcher never treads in buskin here, Nor greater Jonson dares in socks appear. Dryden.

Additional senses

  1. 2.A knit or woven covering for the foot and lower leg; a stocking with a short leg.
  2. 3.A warm inner sole for a shoe. Simmonds.

Sources