1. present participle of hobnail; to stud or reinforce (a shoe or boot) with hobnails (short nails with broad heads)
2. to associate or socialize familiarly with someone of higher social status
Usage: often used in the phrase 'hobnobbing' (variant spelling); somewhat dated or formal

1. the action or process of studding shoes or boots with hobnails, or of associating with people of higher social rank

Examples

• The cobbler was hobnailing the work boots to make them more durable.
• Heavy hobnailing on the soles provided better grip on icy surfaces.
• He spent the evening hobnailing with the city's elite at the charity gala.
• The soldiers' boots required hobnailing before deployment to rough terrain.
• She wasn't interested in hobnailing with the wealthy crowd at the country club.