vamp1 (vamp)

[ vampett, vaumpet (in pl. pl. vaumpez ), vauntpe, OF. vantpie, aphetic form of avant -pied, ant - pied, F. avant - pred, avant-pied, d, the forepart of the foot, avant, before, + pied, foot: see van2 and foot.] 1. That part of the upper leather of a boot or shoe which is in front of the seam at the ankle. See cut under boot. As a cobbler sews a vamp up. R. D. Black more , Lorna Doone, xlviii. 2. Any piece or patch intended to give an old thing a new appearance; a piece added for appearance' sake. See the verb.-3t. A protection formerly worn for the ankle and leg, and perhaps for the foot also. It seems to have been in most cases a sort of gaiter or spatterdash.-4. In music, an improvised accompani ment.