toen.
/təʊ/, U.S. /toʊ/ 1. † b. to stand upon one's toes, i.e. on tiptoe.† c. Put for the foot as a whole, or the point of the foot. Obsolete.
a. Each of the five digits of the human foot. big or great toe (†mickle toe), the thick inner toe; little toe, the short outer toe. (See also 1d.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > digit > toe > [noun]
toec725
piggy1978
α.
β. c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 268/253 Heo orn and ne watte neuere a to.c1315 Shoreham iii. 133 Ten fyngres and ten þine tone.1340–70 Alisaunder 194 Þe fairest feete..With ton tidily wrought.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 6703 Foot for foot to for to [Gött. ta for ta].c1400 St. Alexius (Laud 463) 317 Þe teres fellen to his tone.c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 177 Þe bonys of þe toos.c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 177 Þe grete too..haþ...ij. boones.c1440 York Myst. xxii. 108 Þat þou schall on no stones descende to hurte þi tose.c1450 Cov. Myst. (1841) xiv. 139 This olde shrewe may not wele gon,..Lyfte up thi feet, sett forthe thi ton.1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Mvii Euery hande and fote hath his fyngers and toos particularly distinct.1591 T. Nashe in Sir P. Sidney Astrophel & Stella Introd. 'Tis as good to goe in cut-fingerd Pumps as corke shooes, if one wore Cornish diamonds on his toes.1645 J. Milton L'Allegro in Poems 31 Com, and trip it as ye go On the light fantastick toe.1741 A. Monro Anat. Human Bones (ed. 3) 301 The Flexors of the great Toe.1878 A. Gamgee tr. L. Hermann Elements Human Physiol. (ed. 2) 314 The toes..are of use in maintaining the balance, particularly in walking.c725 Corpus Gloss. (O.E.T.) 141 Allox, tahae.
a901 K. Ælfred Laws c. 64 gif sio micle ta bið ofaslegen, geselle him xx scill. to bote..æfterre ta..midleste ta..feorþe ta..sio lytle ta..v scill.
c1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 161/8 Allox, micele tan.
a1225 Juliana 59 As þat istelede irn strac hire in..from þe top to þe tan.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 683 Þe tas and þe fyngers alle.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 1910 In ilka taa and fynger of hand.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12967 Wit-vten hurt o fote or ta.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxii. 100 Þai hafe on ayther fote viii. taasse.
c1440 Alphabet of Tales 13 I prikkid hur in hur thomble ta.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 68 With his wawill feit and virrok tais.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid v. vi. 66 His tais [v.r. tayis] choppand on his heill.
?a1600 ( R. Sempill Legend Bischop St. Androis in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlv. 362 Palme croces, and knottis of strease, The paring of a preistis auld te [a] es.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary II. x. 257 Tak care o' your taes wi' that stane.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action of standing up or rising > rise or be standing [verb (intransitive)] > be standing > on tiptoe
to stand upon one's toesa1400
tiptoea1661
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 24446 A-pon mi taas [Vesp. tas] oft-siþe I stode.
a1525 Crying ane Playe 45 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 150 He wald apon his tais stand And tak ye sternis dovne with his hand.
1575 G. Gascoigne Fruites of Warre clxvi, in Posies sig. Kiii Thus met we talkt, and stoode vpon our toes, With great demaundes whome little might content.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > extremities > foot > [noun]
footOE
heelOE
toec1290
pettitoes1590
goers1612
hoofa1616
fetlock1645
stamper1652
fetterlock1674
pedestal1695
trotter1755
footsie1762
dew-beaters1811
pedal1838
mud-hook1850
tootsy1854
tootsicum1860
gun-boat1870
mundowie1880
plate of meat1887
trilby1895
dog1913
puppies1922
c1290 Beket 1444 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 147 A-non to is þies þe schuyrte tilde, þe brech riȝt to is to.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5932 Man moght noght þeron sett his ta.
d. figurative.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. i. 153 What do you thinke? You, the great Toe of this Assembly? View more context for this quotation
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine i. iv. 11 Mustard, the little Toe of trees.
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Richard II ciii, in Poems (1878) III. 162 Soe was it here; these Petty toes of State, Who would haue Trod a Galliard of Designe..Fell in a ligge.
e. Australian and New Zealand slang. Speed, energy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun]
greennesseOE
lustinessc1325
forcea1375
vigourc1386
virrc1575
vigour1602
nerve1605
vivacity1649
vis1650
actuosity1660
amenity1661
vogue1674
energy1783
smeddum1790
dash1796
throughput1808
feck1811
go1825
steam1826
jism1842
vim1843
animalism1848
fizz1856
jasm1860
verve1863
snap1865
sawdusta1873
élan1880
stingo1885
energeticism1891
sprawl1894
zip1899
pep1908
jazz1912
zoom1926
toe1963
zap1968
stank1997
1963 N.Z. Truth 8 Oct. Happy Song has a fair share of toe in spite of her nine years and she was flying in fifth place after losing ground at the start.
1969 Sun (Melbourne) 12 July 58/1 The North half-forward line..has a ton of toe and could give Richmond's novice half-back line a torrid afternoon.
2.
a. Each of the digits of the foot of a beast or bird.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > parts of or bird defined by > [noun] > toe or claw
clawa700
toec1386
palma1425
pawc1440
talon1486
spur1548
heel1631
heel spur1871
pinion-claw1884
bird claw1889
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > body and limbs > [noun] > digit
toec1386
forceps1661
digit1756
c1386 G. Chaucer Nun's Priest's Tale 42 A Cok heet Chauntecleer..Lyk Asure were hise legges and his toon.
c1386 G. Chaucer Nun's Priest's Tale 511 This Chauntecleer stode hye vp on his toos.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xxvii. 274 Psitakes..þat speken..and han v. toos vpon a fote.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 63 Als esie as to ken the lione be his taes.
1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. 161 That which hath two toes behind in each foot, with prominencies upon the head like ears,..Chamelion.
1713 W. Derham Physico-theol. vii. i. 378 Two of the Toes are somewhat joined, that they [wading birds] may not easily sink in walking upon boggy Places.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth IV. 262 The feet [of the elephant]..are divided into five toes, which are covered beneath the skin, and none of which appear to the eye.
1841 T. R. Jones Gen. Outl. Animal Kingdom xxx. 646 The Rhinoceros has only three toes to each foot.
1860 All Year Round 7 Jan. 247 Geckoes..by help of padded toes can run up walls like a fly.
1894 Nature's Meth. in Evol. Life ii. 21 The Eocene antecessor of the horse possessed..four separate toes, which subsequently became reduced to three, and at the beginning of the Quaternary Age the horse of the present day appeared with a single toe or hoof.
b. The front part of the hoof (or shoe) of a horse.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [noun] > hoof > front part of
toe1566
sprun1737
1566 T. Blundeville Order curing Horses Dis. cix. f. 80v, in Fower Offices Horsemanshippe If a Horse halteth..in the hele, as by ouer reache, or otherwise, then he will treade most on the toe.
1831 W. Youatt Horse x. 181 Cutting down.. at the union between the crust and the sole at the very toe.
1831 W. Youatt Horse xvii. 316 For work a little hard the shoe shall still be light, with a bit of steel welded into the toe.
c. The ultimate joints of the tarsus of insects.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > parts of insects > [noun] > leg(s) > tarsus > last joints
toe1826
1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. III. 386 Digitus (the Toe),..includes the Allux and Ungula.
3. transferred. The part of a shoe or stocking which covers the toes; the hood or cap for the toe sometimes attached to a stirrup; a toe-piece.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > toe
totec1400
toe1600
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > horse-gear > [noun] > stirrup > parts of
stirrup-iron1474
port1548
toe1842
tapadero1844
stirrup-bar1875
1600 S. Rowlands Letting of Humors Blood vii. 13 From dish~crown'd Hat, vnto th' Shooes square toe.
1722 London Gaz. No. 6119/4 Narrow square Toe Shoes with high Tops.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth xi, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 286 Place thy foot on the toe of my boot.
1842 J. Aiton Domest. Econ. (1857) 262 A stirrup for the misses, with toes to be taken off or on as the boy or girl mounts.
1886 C. Dick Model & Other Poems 95 Skirts, short and sweet, that deftly swing Round pointed heels and patent toes.
4. A part resembling a toe or the toes, in shape or position; (usually) the lower extremity or projection of anything; a point, tip; often identical with foot (foot n. IV.). (Cf. heel n.1 4, 10.)
a. Generally.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > end or extremity > [noun] > lower end > of the leg of a chair, a tree, etc.
foota1387
toec1440
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. xi. 49 Of vynes yonge The rootis..kitte hem not to nygh, lest they abounde Three toon for oon, or feester into a wounde.
?a1643 G. Sandys tr. Seneca Œdipus About the mast the youthfull Ivy twines, The lofty toe imbrac'd with clustred vines.
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Saddle If..the Toes of the Fore~bow be too narrow and streight.
1866 Darwin in Intellectual Observer No. 56. 85 The toe of the labellum.
1869 E. J. Reed Shipbuilding iv. 71 The aftermost rivets were driven through the thin part of the toe, and knocked down in a countersink as usual.
1904 M. S. Rawson Apprentice 140 The old man..began to chip at the toes of the monster oak.
b. The lower extremity of a spindle or screw, as in a press; the projection on a lock-bolt or the like, against which the key or a cam presses.
ΚΠ
1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ii. 27 The Toe or Nab of the Bolt, which rises..above the straight on the Top of the Bolt.
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 58 The very bottom of the Spindle..is called the Toe, it is..of an Hemispherical form.
1833 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal II. 216 By the operation of the handle, the toe is made to act upon the inside bolt, and thus force down the piston.
1839 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 2 242/1 The toe of the screw works in the fixed cross piece.
1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Toe, 1. a. The lower end of a vertical shaft, as a mill-spindle, which rests in a step, or ink. b. An arm on the valve-lifting rod of a steam-engine. A cam or lifter strikes the toe and operates the valve; such toes are known respectively as steam-toes and exhaust-toes.
c. A projection for the base of a wall; the foot or base of a cliff or embankment.
ΚΠ
1838 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 1 98/2 The mode pursued in blasting down high cliffs, by boring at the toe of the rock.
1839 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 2 433 Sheet piling at the toe of the wing walls.
1895 Law Times Rep. 73 156/2 Two vessels..drifted..on to the toe of a breakwater.
1901 Daily News 5 Jan. 6/5 A second chalk wall was built to form a watertight toe for the new bank.
d. The lower extremity of a gun-stock, rafter, organ pipe, etc.
ΚΠ
c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 11 On the stock [of the rifle] is a toe.
1892 W. W. Greener Breech-loader 94 It is too straight or has too much toe upon the stock.
e. The thin end of a hammer-head, the peen; the tip of the ‘head’ of a golf or hockey club.
ΚΠ
1873 E. Spon Workshop Receipts 1st Ser. 412/1 Take an ordinary hammer,..place the toe upon a piece of veneer previously glued on the under side.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 8 Feb. 12/4 The question of whether the toe of the club should point downwards at the top of the swing or somewhat skywards.
f. In full the toe of Italy. The south-western extremity of that country. Cf. heel n.1 12.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > named regions of earth > Europe > Italy > [noun] > southern Italy > heel or toe of Italy
the heel of Italy1658
the toe of Italy1941
1894 A. J. Evans in Freeman Sicily IV. 234 The coinage of Syracuse had now become the only coinage for the whole of Greek Sicily, and even for the toe of Italy.
1941 C. Milburn Diary 15 Feb. (1979) 83 We have dropped parachutists..on Italy's toe..near Brindisi.
1974 Times 7 Jan. 3 The boy had been kept in various hideouts in the southwestern ‘toe’ of Italy.
1979 R. Perry Bishop's Pawn iv. 68 The advancing Allied armies..forced themselves northwards from the toe of Italy.
g. A flattish portion at the foot of an otherwise steep curve.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > [noun] > a curve > flattish part at foot of curve
toe1940
1940 Wall's Dict. Photogr. (ed. 15) 573 The method of speed-measurement used must..depend on the position, not of the extreme under-exposed ‘toe’ of the curve, but of its straight-line portion.
1948 Rep. Progress Physics 11 284 A pronounced toe can be obtained on a density-development-time curve by adding bromide ions to a hydroquinone developer.
1982 Sci. Amer. Apr. 41/2 The design of tension-leg platforms, like the design of guyed towers, is still at the toe of the learning curve and will undoubtedly go through several generations of improvement.
h. Horticulture. A section of a fleshy root.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > shoot, sprout, or branch > [noun] > sucker or side-shoot
scourgea1382
by-sprouting1562
sucker1577
lateral1578
offset1642
spiney1649
side shoot1658
appendix1664
by-shoot1669
water sprout1688
turion1725
tiller1733
surculus1775
suckler1796
suckling1798
offshoot1814
stool1818
base shoot1835
side-tiller1903
toe1952
1952 A. G. L. Hellyer Sanders' Encycl. Gardening (ed. 22) 169 Dracaena... Propagation: by cuttings or ‘toes’ of fleshy roots in sandy peat in spring.
1976 Billings (Montana) Gaz. 27 June 4- g/6 Rhizomes branching from the old toe will bear flowers next year.
1984 Gardening from Which? Mar. 64/1 Remove the offsets..known as yucca toes... Remove the ‘toes’ if new plants are needed.
5. Phrases (chiefly colloquial and slang).† a. on old toes, in old age. Obsolete.† e. to claw one's toes, to gratify or indulge oneself. Obsolete.† f. to cool one's toes, to be kept waiting; cf. to cool (cool v.1 Phrases 4) or kick one's heels (heel n.1 and int. Phrases 2k). Obsolete.† g. to have or hold by the toe, to have a secure hold of. Obsolete.† k. to turn (a person) on the toe, ? to turn off the ladder in hanging. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > age > old age > [adverb]
oldlyc1175
on old toesa1400
agedly1538
upa1822
decrepitly1848
a1400 Pistill of Susan 305 Þou dotest nou on þin olde tos [v.r. toes] in þe dismale.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxx. 424 He that to that gam gose, Now namely on old tose.
b. the toe's length, a very short distance.
ΚΠ
1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet I. x. 216 No to be fit to walk your tae's-length.
c. toe and heel, (a) a style of dancing in which the toe and heel tap rhythmically on the ground; also attributive; (b) in walking: see quot. 1865; also attributive. Cf. heel and toe n., adv., and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [adjective] > having specific manner of walking > with proper step
heel and toe1823
toe and heel1840
society > leisure > dancing > movements or steps > [noun] > step > stamping or tapping
heel and toe1805
toe and heel1840
stomp1927
zapateado1959
1840 T. Hood Miss Kilmansegg iii, in New Monthly Mag. 60 402 The gaping people..turn'd to gaze at the toe-and-heel Of the Golden Boys beginning a reel.
1842 J. Wilson Gymnastics in Ess. (1856) 103 A first rate walker,..toe and heel—six miles an hour.
1865 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. 434 When the heel of one foot is on the ground, the toe of the other must be upon it. This is called toe-and-heel walking.
1869 Punch 10 July 4/2 Hungarians..dancing a toe-and-heel step to polka time.
d. from the crown to the toes, from head to (the) toe(s, from head to foot, all over; from crown to toe: see crown n. 19a; from top to toe: see top n.1 and adj. Phrases 2.
ΚΠ
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 11177 Þo stode hii I-armed fram heued to þe ton.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) x. 274 All armed from hede to too.
ΚΠ
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 143 Dos noght but lakys And clowse hir toose.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (intransitive)] > be delayed
hang1494
stick?a1518
supersede1569
to cool one's heels (also feet, hooves)1576
slow1601
stay1642
retard1646
to come by the lame post1658
to cool one's toes1665
1665 R. Brathwait Comment Two Tales Chaucer 28 Cooling his Toes at the Blacksmith's door.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep secure hold of
to have or hold by the toe1548
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. clxxxvj The Bishop thinkyng that he had God by the too, when in deede he had..the Deuell by the fiste.
1623 Bp. J. Hall Great Impostor 12 Whiles they thinke they haue God by the finger, they hold a deuill by the toe.
h. to kiss the pope's toe, to kiss the golden cross of the sandal on the pope's right foot, as a mark of respect; formerly the customary salutation of those (excepting sovereigns) to whom audience was granted.
ΚΠ
1768 Earl of Carlisle in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1843) II. 296 I kissed the Pope's toe yesterday morning.
1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity II. x. 253 All other persons..must kiss the pope's toe.
i. to step or tread on the toes of; also figurative to give offence to, to vex.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > be displeased with [verb (transitive)] > displease
mislikeeOE
ofthinkeOE
misquemeOE
likec1175
forthinka1225
mispay?c1225
annoyc1300
there glads (also gains, games) him no gleec1300
unpay1340
offenda1382
to be displeasedc1386
to step or tread on the toes ofc1394
mispleasea1400
unlikea1425
edgec1450
injurea1492
discontenta1513
disdain1530
to set (a person's) teeth on edge1535
displeasure1541
mis-set?1553
dislike1578
to tread on any one's heels or toes1710
flisk1792
unentrance1834
to tread on any one's cornsa1855
umbragea1894
c1394 P. Pl. Crede 649 For stappyng on a too of a styncande frere.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate I. iii. 71 ‘But you mustn't offend my father.’.. ‘I won't tread on his toes.’
1868 R. Browning Ring & Bk. I. iii. 210 He could not turn about Nor take a step i' the case and fail to tread On someone's toe.
1879 ‘G. Eliot’ Theophrastus Such vi. 119 A man who uses his balmorals to tread on your toes with much frequency.
j. to turn one's toes up, to die; hence toes up, lying dead.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)]
forsweltc888
sweltc888
adeadeOE
deadc950
wendeOE
i-wite971
starveOE
witea1000
forfereOE
forthfareOE
forworthc1000
to go (also depart , pass, i-wite, chare) out of this worldOE
queleOE
fallOE
to take (also nim, underfo) (the) deathOE
to shed (one's own) blood?a1100
diec1135
endc1175
farec1175
to give up the ghostc1175
letc1200
aswelta1250
leavea1250
to-sweltc1275
to-worthc1275
to yield (up) the ghost (soul, breath, life, spirit)c1290
finea1300
spilla1300
part?1316
to leese one's life-daysa1325
to nim the way of deathc1325
to tine, leave, lose the sweatc1330
flit1340
trance1340
determinec1374
disperisha1382
to go the way of all the eartha1382
to be gathered to one's fathers1382
miscarryc1387
shut1390
goa1393
to die upa1400
expirea1400
fleea1400
to pass awaya1400
to seek out of lifea1400–50
to sye hethena1400
tinea1400
trespass14..
espirec1430
to end one's days?a1439
decease1439
to go away?a1450
ungoc1450
unlivec1450
to change one's lifea1470
vade1495
depart1501
to pay one's debt to (also the debt of) naturea1513
to decease this world1515
to go over?1520
jet1530
vade1530
to go westa1532
to pick over the perch1532
galpa1535
to die the death1535
to depart to God1548
to go home1561
mort1568
inlaikc1575
shuffle1576
finish1578
to hop (also tip, pitch over, drop off, etc.) the perch1587
relent1587
unbreathe1589
transpass1592
to lose one's breath1596
to make a die (of it)1611
to go offa1616
fail1623
to go out1635
to peak over the percha1641
exita1652
drop1654
to knock offa1657
to kick upa1658
to pay nature her due1657
ghost1666
to march off1693
to die off1697
pike1697
to drop off1699
tip (over) the perch1699
to pass (also go, be called, etc.) to one's reward1703
sink1718
vent1718
to launch into eternity1719
to join the majority1721
demise1727
to pack off1735
to slip one's cable1751
turf1763
to move off1764
to pop off the hooks1764
to hop off1797
to pass on1805
to go to glory1814
sough1816
to hand in one's accounts1817
to slip one's breatha1819
croak1819
to slip one's wind1819
stiffen1820
weed1824
buy1825
to drop short1826
to fall (a) prey (also victim, sacrifice) to1839
to get one's (also the) call1839
to drop (etc.) off the hooks1840
to unreeve one's lifeline1840
to step out1844
to cash, pass or send in one's checks1845
to hand in one's checks1845
to go off the handle1848
to go under1848
succumb1849
to turn one's toes up1851
to peg out1852
walk1858
snuff1864
to go or be up the flume1865
to pass outc1867
to cash in one's chips1870
to go (also pass over) to the majority1883
to cash in1884
to cop it1884
snuff1885
to belly up1886
perch1886
to kick the bucket1889
off1890
to knock over1892
to pass over1897
to stop one1901
to pass in1904
to hand in one's marble1911
the silver cord is loosed1911
pip1913
to cross over1915
conk1917
to check out1921
to kick off1921
to pack up1925
to step off1926
to take the ferry1928
peg1931
to meet one's Maker1933
to kiss off1935
to crease it1959
zonk1968
cark1977
to cark it1979
to take a dirt nap1981
the world > life > death > dead person or the dead > [adjective]
deadOE
lifelessOE
of lifeOE
storvena1225
dead as a door-nail1362
ydead1387
stark deadc1390
colda1400
bypast1425
perishedc1440
morta1450
obita1450
unquickc1449
gone?a1475
dead and gone1482
extinct1483
departed1503
bygonea1522
amort1546
soulless1553
breathless1562
parted1562
mortified1592
low-laid1598
disanimate1601
carcasseda1603
defunct1603
no morea1616
with God1617
death-stricken1618
death-strucken1622
expired1631
past itc1635
incinerated1657
stock-dead1662
dead as a herring1664
death-struck1688
as dead as a nit1789
(as) dead as mutton1792
low1808
laid in the locker1815
strae-dead1820
disanimated1833
ghosted1834
under the daisies1842
irresuscitable1843
under the sod1847
toes up1851
dead and buried1863
devitalized1866
translated1869
dead and done (for, with)1886
daid1890
bung1893
(as) dead as the (or a) dodo1904
six feet under1942
brown bread1969
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour II. 95/2 I thought I'd be by this time toes up in Stepney churchyard.
1857 Ld. Dufferin Lett. from High Latitudes (ed. 3) xiii. 393 Ah, my Lord!—the poor thing!—toes up at last!
1860 C. Reade Cloister & Hearth xxiv ‘Several arbalestriers turned their toes up, and I among them’. ‘Killed..? come now!’
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > hang [verb (transitive)]
hangc1000
anhangOE
forhangc1300
to loll up1377
gallowa1400
twitchc1450
titc1480
truss1536
beswinga1566
trine1567
to turn over1570
to turn off1581
to turn (a person) on the toe1594
to stretch1595
derrick1600
underhang1603
halter1616
staba1661
noose1664
alexander1666
nub1673
ketch1681
tuck1699
gibbet1726
string1728
scrag1756
to hang up1771
crap1773
patibulate1811
strap1815
swing1816
croak1823
yardarm1829
to work off1841
suspercollatea1863
dangle1887
1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. C4 He for his trecherie was turnd on the toe.
l. on one's toes: alert, eager.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > vigilant or on one's guard [phrase]
on warec893
on (also upon) one's guard1574
on (at, of, upon) one's keeping1590
on, upon (the) watch1719
on (also upon) the qui vive1726
on the alert1795
on one's toes1921
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > acting vigorously or energetically [phrase] > acting briskly
to let the grass grow under one's feet (also heels)a1556
(all) in a rush1876
on one's toes1921
1921 J. Dos Passos Three Soldiers ii. i. 56 If he just watched out and kept on his toes, he'd be sure to get it.
1958 B. Nichols Sweet & Twenties 94 You have to be on your toes to make the right sort of riposte on such an occasion.
1972 P. Marks Collector's Choice ii. 123 Anavi was convinced that he had the right to delude even the most experienced connoisseurs; he was doing them a service because it kept them on their toes.
m. toe-to-toe: (carried on) in close combat, at close quarters; also, neck and neck. Cf. foot to foot at foot n. and int. Phrases 1f.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > nearness > near by [phrase] > closely or at close quarters
nearhand1548
to meet at hard edge1591
toe-to-toe1942
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [adjective] > equal or well-matched
fadging?1611
hand in hand1779
even Steven1837
horse and horsea1859
toe-to-toe1942
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §701/14 Toe-to-toe, evenly matched.
1950 J. Dempsey Championship Fighting 199 Has each enough confidence in his own punching ability..to engage the other in toe-to-toe exchanges?
1952 Newsweek 23 June 21/1 In the toe-to-toe fight for the Republican Presidential nomination, last week's round went to Sen. Robert A. Taft of Ohio.
1958 Oxf. Mag. 15 May 429/2 The sense of toe-to-toe negotiation with financial giants.
1971 Flying Apr. 42/1 My wife and I landed..to top up the tanks and have a toe-to-toe talk with the weather guys.
1977 Sounds 9 July 23/3 I love real eccentric people, getting toe to toe with them.
n. to have it on one's toes: to run away. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > run away or flee
fleec825
afleeeOE
atrina1000
atfleec1000
to run awayOE
to turn to or into flighta1225
to turn the ridgec1225
atrenc1275
atshakec1275
to give backa1300
flemec1300
startc1330
to take (on oneself) the flighta1500
to take the back upon oneselfa1500
fly1523
to take (also betake) (oneself) to one's legs1530
to flee one's way1535
to take to one's heels1548
flought?1567
fuge1573
to turn taila1586
to run off1628
to take flighta1639
refugea1641
to run for it1642
to take leg1740
to give (also take) leg-bail1751
bail1775
sherry1788
to pull foot1792
fugitate1830
to tail off (out)1830
to take to flight1840
to break (strike, etc.) for (the) tall timber1845
guy1879
to give leg (or legs)1883
rabbit1887
to do a guy1889
high-tail1908
to have it on one's toes1958
1958 F. Norman Bang to Rights 53 They hold us responsable for anyone haveing it on their toes [sic].
1976 ‘P. B. Yuill’ Hazell & Menacing Jester vi. 67 I had it across the road on my toes.
o. toes over n. Surfing see quots.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > water sports except racing > surfing > [noun] > actions of surfer
kick-out1801
ride1883
side-slip1913
surf1917
slide1935
pull-out1957
quasimodo1960
head dip1962
nose-riding1962
rolling1962
spinner1962
stalling1962
toes over1962
cutback1963
Eskimo roll1964
re-entry1968
right1968
rollercoaster1968
barrel roll1971
hold-down1982
railing1983
cross-stepping1990
cross-step1994
turtle roll2001
1962 T. Masters Surfing made Easy 65 Toes over, walking to the very front of the board during a ride on a steep hollow wave.
1963 S. Szabados in J. Pollard Austral. Surfrider ii. 19/1 Walking the board when you don't wish to put all your toes over you can still put a few over the edge—do a ‘toes over’.
p. a toe in the door: a position from which progress can be made.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > [noun] > starting-point > from which progress may be made
sunrise1623
the thin (little or small) end of the wedge1856
a toe in the door1977
1977 Times 7 Oct. 17/2 Gail Sheehy stopped her sample at 50... She says she now has a toe in the door of the 50's and 60's.
1978 Dumfries Courier 20 Oct. 6/5 He was only using the application for boating as a ‘toe in the door’ to sell something else.
1979 D. Sanders Queen sends for Mrs. Chadwick 11 He'd be thirty-five at the next election. Just the right age to get a toe in the door.
Categories »
q. to dig in one's toes: see to dig in one's toes at dig v. Phrasal verbs.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a.
toe-action n.
toe-bone n.
ΚΠ
1898 Guide Galleries Mammalia Dept. Zool. Brit. Mus. (ed. 6) 11 The tarsus, or ankle-bones, corresponding to the carpus, and the metatarsals and toe-bones to the metacarpals and finger-bones.
1898 Daily News 11 Nov. 5/1 An ill-formed boot with a foot inside, the toe bones all squeezed out of their natural shape.
toe-calk n.
ΚΠ
1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Toe-calk, a prong or barb on the toe of a horse's shoe, to prevent slipping on ice or frozen ground.
toe-dresser n.
ΚΠ
1725 London Gaz. No. 6399/3 James Stubs,..Toe-Dresser.
toe-end n.
ΚΠ
1765 T. H. Croker et al. Compl. Dict. Arts & Sci. II. at Foot Foot, Pes Magnus, or great foot, in anatomy, denotes the extent from the juncture of the hip to the toe ends.
1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Tip... 3. (Shoemaking.) A protecting cap at the toe end of a shoe. 4. The nozzle of a gas-burner. 5. A ferrule; as the tip of a bayonet scabbard.
toe-joint n.
ΚΠ
1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 606 He..pointed to his distorted toe-joints, and informed me that once he always wore boots.
toe-turn n.
ΚΠ
1598 J. Marston Scourge of Villanie iii. x. sig. H3v He dreames of toe-turnes, each gallant hee doth meete He fronts him with a trauers in the streete.
b.
toe-kissing n.
ΚΠ
1896 Daily News 9 Mar. 6/4 As I had said A—I was going to say B, too—and made up my mind to the toe kissing.
toe-scraping n.
ΚΠ
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VII. 150 Instead of the toe-scraping of ordinary spastic disease, the whole foot is shoved forwards in walking.
toe-stretching n.
ΚΠ
1862 Internat. Exhib.: Illustr. Catal. Industr. Dept. II. xxvii. §5025 His new instep- and toe-stretching boot tree.
toe-treading n. literal and figurative
ΚΠ
1842 Peter Parley's Ann. 264 The elbowing, the toe-treading.
1910 Daily News 4 Apr. 12 The practice of gibbeting one's enemies in fiction is not a form of toe-treading that one ought to encourage.
c.
toe-like adj.
ΚΠ
1850 D. J. Browne Amer. Poultry Yard 30 Their legs are..armed with one or more toe-like claws.
C2. † toe-gleek n. Obsolete some variety of gleek.† toe-shell n. Obsolete a species of cirriped, Pollicipes mitella.
toe-ball n. the thickened fleshy pad under the toe; with quot. 1826 cf. sense 2c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > digit > toe > [noun] > parts of
toe-ball1826
toe-tip1839
balla1933
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > parts of insects > [noun] > leg(s) > tarsus > last joint but one of tarsus
toe-ball1826
1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. III. xxxiii. 386 Allux (the Toe-ball). The last joint but one of the Tarsus, when remarkable, as in Rhyncophorous beetles.
1856 T. Aird Poet. Wks. (new ed.) 15 The big Toeball just resting on the stirrup.
toe-board n. a board for the feet to rest upon; also, a board marking the limit of the thrower's run in putting the weight and similar feats.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > support or rest > [noun] > for feet
shamblec825
stoola1250
benchc1405
buffet1432
foot cushiona1475
footstool1530
cricket1559
grest1563
foot stock1567
hassock1582
cracket1635
crock1709
tuffet1805
mora1818
footrest1833
toe-board1892
1892 Harper's Mag. Jan. 271/1 The..bag..to put under his feet on the toe-board.
1907 Westm. Gaz. 21 Jan. 2/1 Here had trudged the bloody pirate..about to step the dance of death without a toe-board under the gallows-tree up harbour.
toe-boot n. a boot (boot n.3 5) to protect the hind feet of a trotting horse from injury by the fore feet.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > shoeing of horses > [noun] > boot
boot1812
ankle boot1835
hipposandal1847
footguard1875
toe-boot1901
1901 Munsey's Mag. 25 736/1 The hind feet were protected with the toe boots, while the action of the front feet was stimulated by the weight of the quarter boots, made of soft sheepskin or leather.
toe brake n. Aeronautics in an aircraft, a brake that is operated with the foot.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > parts of aircraft > controls and instruments > [noun] > controls > brake
toe brake1944
1944 Jrnl. Royal Aeronaut. Soc. 48 297 The toe brakes are awkward to operate, and heavy pressure is needed on them to get the desired braking effect.
1976 B. Lecomber Dead Weight ii. 32 I stood on the toe-brakes and opened the throttle.
toe braking n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > action of flying (in) aircraft > specific flying operations or procedures > [noun] > braking
toe braking1977
1977 R.A.F. Yearbk. 29 Direction is maintained or altered by holding the rudder central and applying differential toe-braking as required.
toecap n. a piece of steel or leather constituting or fitted over the front part of a boot or shoe as protection or reinforcement.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > toe > cap for
toecap1797
1797 J. Wolcot Out at Last in Wks. (1812) III. 494 Come hobbling forth without one blush of shame With heel-taps, toe-caps, soles for worn-out fame.
1907 Daily News 4 June 6 Shoes much the worse for wear, often broken across the toecaps.
toecapped adj. furnished with a toecap.
ΚΠ
1861 J. Brown Horæ Subs. (1863) 378 His heavy shoes,..heel-capt and toe-capt.
toe-clip n. (a) an attachment to the pedal of a bicycle in which the toe of the shoe is placed to prevent the foot slipping; (b) a tip turned up at the toe of a horseshoe, to keep the shoe in position (= clip n.1 2).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicle propelled by feet > [noun] > cycle > parts and equipment of cycles > pedals and parts
pedal1845
grip treadle1881
toe-strap1884
grip-pedal1885
rat trap1887
treadle1887
toe-clip1895
bear trap1984
1895 Army & Navy Co-op. Soc. Price List 1379/2 The Courier Toe Clips... For Rat Trap Pedals (adjustable), price 2/0.
1908 Daily Chron. 6 June 8/3 The N.C.U...leaves it permissible—not compulsory—for riders to use toe-clips, blocks on the shoes, or slots in the soles, or any other device for assisting to keep the feet in position.
toe-cover n. slang an inexpensive and useless present.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun] > inexpensive and useless gift
toe-cover1948
1948 B. Macdonald Plague & I xvi. 193 Toecover is a family name for a useless gift. A crocheted napkin ring is a toecover.
1983 Listener 3 Feb. 21/2 Gifts are given, not only the completely useless trivia or ‘toe-covers’ which litter the surgery, but more substantial gifts, such as briefcases.
toe-crack n. Farriery a sand-crack in the front of the hoof.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > [noun] > disorders of feet or hooves
pains1440
mellitc1465
false quarter1523
gravelling?1523
founder1547
foundering1548
foot evil1562
crown scab1566
prick1566
quittor bone1566
moltlong1587
scratches1591
hoof-bound1598
corn1600
javar1600
frush1607
crepance1610
fretishing1610
seam1610
scratchets1611
kibe1639
tread1661
grease1674
gravel1675
twitter-bone1688
cleft1694
quittor1703
bleymes1725
crescent1725
hoof-binding1728
capelet1731
twitter1745
canker1753
grease-heels1753
sand-crack1753
thrush1753
greasing1756
bony hoof1765
seedy toe1829
side bone1840
cracked heel1850
mud fever1872
navicular1888
coronitis1890
toe-crack1891
flat-foot1894
1891 Special Rep. Dis. Horse (U.S. Dept. Agric.) 393 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (51st Congr., 2nd Session, House of Representatives Misc. Doc.130) XI The toe-crack..extending from the coronary band to the sole.
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. at Sand-crack Veter., a fissure or lesion in the horn of the hoof wall, often causing lameness. When in the front wall, it is known as toe crack.
toe-dancer n. see quot.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > ballet > [noun] > ballet-dancer > female
ballerina1789
danseuse1828
ballet girl1839
toe-dancer1898
1898 Pall Mall Mag. Nov. 419 Mrs. Draper was a toe-dancer..a young lady..flitting hither and thither on the very tips of her tiny feet.
toe-dancing n. dancing on points.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > ballet > [noun] > movements
entrechat1706
pirouette1706
sissonne1706
batterie1712
cabriole1753
ballonné1760
balancé?1770
brisé1786
ballotté1802
rond de jambe1824
petit battement1828
battement1830
elevation1830
fouetté1830
jeté1830
changement de pied1840
développé1888
temps1890
pas de ciseaux1892
plié1892
changement1905
beat1913
ciseaux1913
glissé1913
ouvert1913
allegro1914
pas de chat1914
pas de cheval1916
soubresaut1916
grand jeté1919
lift1921
toe-dancing1924
pointwork1925
posé1927
jeté en tournant1930
tour1930
extension1934
tour jeté1935
fondu1939
retiré1941
chaîné1946
soutenu1947
passé1948
saut1948
contretemps1952
promenade1953
piqué1954
gargouillade1957
1924 Sharp & Oppé Dance 47 Toe-dancing is perhaps the most extreme instance of the virtuosity achieved by the ballet-dancers of the last century.
1976 F. Muir Frank Muir Bk. 42 About 1820 the ballerina Taglioni popularized toe-dancing, which called for special built-up shoes.
toe-drop n. Pathology see quot. 1899.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of visible parts > [noun] > of the digits
ainhum1867
toeing1871
baseball finger1873
phalangitis1877
Raynaud1883
mallet finger1894
toe-drop1899
white finger1918
1899 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Toe-drop, inability to lift the toes, or the anterior part of the foot, due to a local paralysis, usually from peripheral neuritis.
toe-end v. (transitive) to kick with the point of one's foot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > with the foot > kick > kick with the toe
toe-end1968
1968 B. Hines Kestrel for Knave 98 He pivoted on his left foot and toe-ended a lump of coke back across the asphalt.
1976 Sunday Mail (Glasgow) 21 Nov. Jonquin took a free-kick and the inside-right toe-ended the ball into the net.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > other card games > [noun] > gleek
gleek1533
farthing-gleeka1652
toe-gleek1689
1689 T. Shadwell Bury-Fair iii. i Women, go pack into the drawing room and play at Toe-gleek.
toe-hardy n. a half-round hardy or cold-chisel.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > chisel > [noun] > for cutting metal
cold chisel1697
set1843
hot chisel1848
sate1883
hot set1888
toe-hardy1909
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Toe hardy.
toe-hold n. (a) in Wrestling, a hold in which the toe is seized and the leg forced backwards; (b) a place of support for the toe (of a boot) in climbing; hence figurative, a position of little significance or influence, esp. one seen as providing a base from which they may be increased.
Π
1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad xxxiv. 379 One man's toe-hold broke and he fell!
1918 Observer 10 Nov. 8/6 The enemy retains a toehold in the Rimeuse Valley.
1945 H. L. Mencken Amer. Lang. Suppl. I. 324 So many novelties swarm in... A large number come and go without the lexicographers so much as hearing of them... At least four-fifths of those which get any sort of toe-hold in the language originate in the United States.
1963 M. I. Finley Anc. Greeks ii. 12 Small groups of men began to migrate eastward across the Aegean to find toeholds on the Asia Minor coast.
1965 Listener 10 June 869/3 By Carletti's time Europe..retained only a toe-hold on the China trade.
1980 ‘M. Fonteyn’ Magic of Dance 155 A model rock about twelve inches high was dragged onto the stage by the corps de ballet. It had a special toehold into which I had to place my foot and balance for a moment on pointe.
toe-hole n. rare a place of support for the toe (of a boot) in climbing.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > [noun] > hold
footholea1589
fingerhold1720
handhold1726
side hold1829
toe-hole1876
push hold1904
side pull1920
under-hold1920
pressure hold1941
hand jam1948
thank God hold1955
undergrip1955
jug1957
chickenhead1961
crimp1994
1876 H. Melville Clarel I. ii. xix. 224 A ladder of steep stone With toe-holes cut.
toe-jam n. slang dirt which accumulates between the toes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > dirt > [noun] > dirt in or on the body > specific
sordes1746
mourning band1884
toe-jam1934
bogy1937
1934 R. Campbell Broken Rec. 165 The stale smell of the toe-jam of the shuffling pedestrian Charlot.
1973 Black World June 21 If you miss nose Picking time Then you collect Three and one half milograms Of toejam And give it to barbara's cat.
toe jump n. Skating a jump initiated with the help of the toe of the non-skating foot.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > skating > [noun] > figure-skating > figure > jump
salchow1921
axel1930
lutz1932
toe jump1938
flip jump1940
split jump1961
toe loop1964
1938 M. Y. Vinson Primer Figure Skating ix. 150 Another nice toe jump is the ‘ballet hop’.
1975 Oxf. Compan. Sports & Games 523/1 The split jump, a toe jump in which the skater takes off from a back inside edge, assisted by the toe-point of the free foot, half-turning in mid-air [etc.].
toe-link n. a bottom end link.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > anchoring equipment > [noun] > anchor rope or cable > formed of chain > bottom end link
toe-link1850
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 105 They are secured to the ship's side by a bolt through the toe-link, called the chain-bolt.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Chain-bolt, a large bolt to secure the chains of the dead-eyes through the toe-link.
toe loop n. (a) Skating a loop jump that is also a toe jump (see quot. 1979); more fully toe loop jump; (b) a loop on a sandal through which a toe is placed.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > skating > [noun] > figure-skating > figure > jump
salchow1921
axel1930
lutz1932
toe jump1938
flip jump1940
split jump1961
toe loop1964
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > protective studs or plates > fastenings > lace, thong, or strap > types of
stilt-bond?a1500
sandal1829
toe-string1882
toe-strap1884
T-bar1889
bootstrap1891
T-strap1963
toe loop1964
1964 ‘J. Noel’ Figure Skating for Beginners ix. 92 The toe loop and double toe loop jumps are the ordinary loop and double loop jumps with the addition of toe-strikes.
1973 K. Markandaya Nowhere Man iii. 18 Sandals on her smooth-skinned feet, with thongs and a toe-loop.
1976 Times 19 Jan. 9/6 Miss de Leeuw fell on her triple jump, a toe loop.
1979 M. Heller Illustr. Encycl. Ice Skating 209 The toe loop is the simplest skating jump from the backward outside edge with the assistance of the free toe, a 360° turn to backward inside edge of the same foot.
toe-movement n. see quot., and cf. toe-drop n. and toe-scraping.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > digit > toe > [noun] > movement of
toe-movement1899
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 103 In some cases [of functional paralysis]..the toe-movement does not occur.
toenail n. (a) the nail of a toe; also figurative; (b) an iron nail employed for the toe in shoeing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > nail > [noun] > toe nail
toenail1841
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > shoeing of horses > [noun] > horseshoe > nail or stud
frost-nail1339
horseshoe-nail1415
horse-nail1598
talon-nail1688
toenail1841
nail-stub1851
frost stud1864
frost cog1867
rougha1884
1841 Knickerbocker 17 407 All the young ladies were on the very toe-nail of curiosity.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. I. 132 Bonsall was minus a big toe nail and plus a scar upon the nose.
1908 Animal Managem. (War Office) 238 The smith begins with the toenails first.
a1912 Mod. A chiropodist, attending to a defective toe-nail.
toe-nail v. to fasten with toed nails: see toed adj. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > fasten [verb (transitive)] > with nails > with specific type
spike1624
treenail1626
spike1700
sprig1712
brad1794
clinker1824
thumbtack1884
toe-nail1900
1900 Yearbk. U.S. Dept. Agric. 443 The braces are toe-nailed in place to prevent the possibility of their becoming loosened and dropping down.
toe-narrow adj. Farriery having the fore feet too close when standing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [adjective] > having particular type of feet > in particular position when standing
pigeon-toed1786
toe-wide1891
toe-narrow1903
1903 Special Rep. Dis. Horse (U.S. Dept. Agric.) (rev. ed.) 560 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (57th Congr., 2nd Session, House of Representatives Doc. 487) XI The regular position, the base-wide or toe-wide position, or the base-narrow or toe-narrow position.
toe parade n. Army slang a foot inspection.
ΚΠ
1918 E. S. Farrow Dict. Mil. Terms Toe Parade,..inspection of the feet..with the surgeon or a medical assistant in attendance.
toe-piece n. a toecap; a toe-plate; in armour, the toe of a solleret; also, the lengthened tip of this; see also quot. 1879.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > armour > armour for limbs > [noun] > armour for feet > toe of
toe-piece1879
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > protective studs or plates > for toe
toe-tip1839
tip1840
toe-piece1879
toe-plate1894
toe-scute1899
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > carriage for conveying persons > [noun] > parts of > hinder part for seating or luggage
boot1608
rumble-tumble1777
boodge1794
budget1794
budget-bar1794
trunk-boot1795
rumble1798
rumbler1805
trunk-board1819
toe-piece1879
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 131/1 The toe-piece or extreme end of the body and boot [of a coach].
toe-plate n. (a) an iron plate under the toe of a boot or shoe; (b) a metal plate worn as a remedy for hammer-toe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > surgical supports > [noun] > appliances for foot
toe-plate1894
heel brace1899
arch support1939
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > protective studs or plates > for toe
toe-tip1839
tip1840
toe-piece1879
toe-plate1894
toe-scute1899
1894 Daily News 4 May 6/4 A very enormous boot would be required to receive the toe-plate, as well as the foot.
1898 Daily News 19 Aug. 4/5 The camp..contains everything needful down to the toeplates for the soldiers' boots.
toe-puff n. a stiffener for the toe of the upper of a shoe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > toe > stiffening for
boxing1897
toe-puff1929
1929 Footwear Organiser July 81/2 (advt.) For unvarying high quality and thoroughly reliable service use Walker prepared toe-puffs.
1958 Observer 21 Sept. 10/5 The modern toe-puff makes feeling the position of the toes impossible.
toe rake n. Skating a set of teeth at the front of the blade of a skate.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > skating > [noun] > skate > parts of
runner1833
heel plate1862
foot stock1874
toe rake1963
1963 T. D. Richardson Your Bk. of Skating iii. 20 The strike must be from the edge of the blade—and not from the point or toe rakes of the skate.
1973 Times 3 Mar. 18/1 Towards the end of the programme..Miss Buck tripped over the toe rake of her skate.
1980 Radio Times 16 Feb. 33 The front of the blade has teeth (the toe-rake) to assist with spins, pivots and jumps.
toe-ring n. a ring worn on the toe; a stout ferrule on the end of a cant-hook (U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > ring > [noun] > for specific positions
finger ring1535
thumb-ring1598
toe-ring1896
1896 ‘M. Twain’ Diary 30 Jan. in Following Equator (1897) xliv. 403 All the females among them [sc. Hindoos]..bejeweled with cheap and showy nose-rings, toe-rings, leglets, and armlets.
1905 C. Davenport Jewellery v. 87 Toe-rings were common in India, but, like all native customs of this sort, their use is practically dying out.
toe-rubber n. North American a rubber overshoe that covers only the front part of a shoe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > shoe or boot > shoe > [noun] > types of > overshoe > types of
pattenc1574
India rubber1825
foothold1851
storm rubber1895
toe-rubber1948
1948 Sun (Baltimore) 16 Jan. 7 (advt.) Handy, dual-purpose umbrella that protects you top to toe! Its smart plastic handle holds a pair of excellent quality toe-rubbers that fit any size foot.
1975 Toronto Star 25 Oct. h7/1 Who wouldn't develop a sense of humor in a country where some men have to wear toe rubbers half the year.
toe-scute n. = toe-plate n. (a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > protective studs or plates > for toe
toe-tip1839
tip1840
toe-piece1879
toe-plate1894
toe-scute1899
1899 A. Quiller-Couch Ship of Stars v A glint of daylight on the toe-scutes of two dangling boots.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Crustacea > [noun] > subclass Entomostraca > order Cirripedia > pollicipes mitella
toe-shell1753
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Pollicipes, the toe-shell... They are multivalve flat shells, of a triangular figure, each being composed of several laminæ, which end in a sharp point.
toe shoe n. North American Ballet a shoe with a reinforced toe, worn for toe-dancing; a point shoe.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > ballet > [noun] > shoes
point shoe1910
toe shoe1949
1949 A. Chujoy & P. W. Manchester Dance Encycl. 480/2 Toe-shoes are usually, but not always, made of silk and the toe of the shoe is re-enforced with a box made of several layers of strong glue between layers of material.
1979 T. Gifford Hollywood Gothic (1980) vi. 71 I played so much tennis that my sneakers actually got bloody, like toe shoes—like ballet.
toe-spin n. Skating a spin performed on the toe.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > skating > [noun] > figure-skating > figure > specific figure or movement
spread eagle1823
Q1852
grapevine1868
loop1869
rocking turn1869
Mohawk1880
vine1891
bracket1892
Choctaw1892
counter1892
rocker1892
scud1892
three1895
toe-spin1921
death spiral1933
1921 B. Meyer Skating 117 All the toe-spins are beautiful if well executed.
1928 Daily Express 19 Dec. 15/4 Her pirouettes, toe-spins, and counter-rockers.
1960 M. V. Owen Fun Figure Skating vii. 130 Back toe spins (with the free leg closing in in front) and back sit spins should be learned by all those expecting to go on to advanced free skating.
toe-step n. Mechanics the socket in which the end of a spindle works; = footstep n. 6c.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > [noun] > parts of wheels > axle > other parts of
clout?1523
colletc1530
stud1683
pole1730
wreath1733
virtival1794
thrust screw1858
toe-step1888
1888 Lockwood's Dict. Mech. Engin. 147 Foot step, or Footstep Bearing, a bearing closed at its bottom end, to sustain the end thrust of a vertical shaft or spindle. It is, therefore, a bearing socket, called also a step, and toe step.
toe-strap n. (a) a strap or thong which secures the toe of a sandal, skate, or the like; (b) a strap on a bicycle pedal to keep the foot from slipping off it; (c) a band fixed to a boat and serving to hold the foot of someone leaning out.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > other equipment of vessel > [noun] > trapeze or toe-strap in small sailing boat
toe-strap1884
trapeze harness1946
trapeze1961
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicle propelled by feet > [noun] > cycle > parts and equipment of cycles > pedals and parts
pedal1845
grip treadle1881
toe-strap1884
grip-pedal1885
rat trap1887
treadle1887
toe-clip1895
bear trap1984
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > protective studs or plates > fastenings > lace, thong, or strap > types of
stilt-bond?a1500
sandal1829
toe-string1882
toe-strap1884
T-bar1889
bootstrap1891
T-strap1963
toe loop1964
1884 Queen 29 Nov. (advt.) Superior polished wood skates with broad toe-straps.
1910 Cycling 26 Jan. 66/1 The first time I ever essayed to climb Westerham I had no toe-straps, and I failed.
1911 Blackwood's Mag. Dec. 780/1 The toe-strap of one of his rope-sandals broke.
1948 I. Proctor Racing Dinghy Handling vi. 56 At least one foot should be tucked under the canvas toe strap.
1966 T. Simpson Cycling is my Life v. 38 My left leg was still fastened to the pedal by the toe-strap and then bent over the cross-bar with me lying across the front wheel.
1968 Daily Tel. 29 Jan. 7/8 Dean hit the buoy, and Hinton fell in when his toestrap broke.
1981 B. Webb Schult's Sailing Dict. 257/2 A crew can only sit out effectively if the boat has toe-straps or some other device to enable weight to be placed well outboard.
toe-string n. = toe-strap n. (a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > protective studs or plates > fastenings > lace, thong, or strap > types of
stilt-bond?a1500
sandal1829
toe-string1882
toe-strap1884
T-bar1889
bootstrap1891
T-strap1963
toe loop1964
1882 E. A. Floyer Unexplored Baluchistan 72 They all wore huge knitted list stockings, with a division for the toe-string of the suāss, or grass sandals.
toe-tapping n. and adj. (a) n. the tapping of feet in time to music; (in quot. 1929 for toe-puff n., a derogatory term for ‘dancing’); (b) adj. that makes one want to tap one's feet.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > [noun] > toe-tapping
foot-tapping1899
toe-tapping1929
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > proportion of notes or rhythm > [adjective] > type of rhythm
well-modulated1721
zoppa1740
bright1872
polymetric1878
swinging1884
ragtime1896
ragtimey1901
polymetrical1908
foot-tapping1915
toe-tapping1929
swingy1933
sewing machine1934
rocking1935
ricky-tick1939
raggedy1949
ricky-ticky1949
beaty1956
square1958
polymetred1966
head-nodding1967
1929 ‘Seamark’ Down River iii. 46 You didn't think I wanted to come toe-tapping in a shanty like this, did you?
1935 Motion Picture Nov. 4 (advt.) Roaring comedy, warm romance, sensational song hits, toe-tapping dances.
1966 C. Keil in T. Kochman Rappin' & Stylin' Out (1972) 87 The jazz audience now remains immobile save for some head-bobbing, toe-tapping, and finger-popping.
1975 Broadcast 3 Nov. 14/1 A charming presentation of..music in a toe-tapping reminiscent mood.
toe-thong sandal n. = thong sandal n. at thong n. Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > shoe or boot > shoe > [noun] > types of > with straps or thongs > sandal > types of
alpargata1613
opanka1778
pampootie1846
kaparrang1867
huarache1887
chappal1893
bakya1916
platform sandal1940
jandal1950
flip-flop1958
thonged sandal1958
thong sandal1965
toe-thong sandal1966
thong1967
slip-slop1971
1966 M. Laurence Jest of God viii. 130 Her feet..slap with the rubbery sound of her royal-blue toe-thong sandals.
toe-tights n. tights in which the toes are separated like glove-fingers.
toe-tip n. the extremity of a toe; cf. tiptoe n., adv., and adj.; also = toe-plate n. (a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > digit > toe > [noun] > parts of
toe-ball1826
toe-tip1839
balla1933
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > protective studs or plates > for toe
toe-tip1839
tip1840
toe-piece1879
toe-plate1894
toe-scute1899
1839 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 2 318/2 Machinery for manufacturing shoe-heels, and toe-tips.
1892 J. A. Symonds Life Michelangelo (1899) I. iv. 168 His whole frame laboured to the toe-tips.
toe-tuft n. a tuft of hair covering the toe in some dogs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > dog > [noun] > parts of > (parts of) leg and foot
dew-claw1575
water claw1611
hare's foot1747
pastern1845
toe-tufta1858
trousersa1907
culotte1928
a1858 in Youatt Dog (N.Y.) iii. 138 The ball pads being well protected by the spaniel toe-tufts.
toe-walking adj. that walks on the toes, digitigrade.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by locomotion > [adjective] > adapted for walking > walking on the toes
digitigrade1827
toe-walking1894
1894 Pop. Sci. Monthly June 284 All the other cats in the world excepting Australia are digitigrade (toe-walking).
toe wall n. a low wall built at the foot of an embankment to help keep the earth in place.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or providing with specific parts > specific parts built or constructed > [noun] > wall > types of
mud walla1395
ground-wall1712
retaining wall1771
cob wall1790
wing-wall1791
honeycomb wall1850
toe wall1934
1934 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Toe wall.
1947 Sun (Baltimore) 5 May 16/6 Concrete toe walls have been installed on both sides of the river.
1975 Winterkorn & Fang Foundation Engin. Handbk. xi. 398/2 In England wide dry-stone toe walls have been used successfully to stabilize cuts in over-consolidated clay.
toe-weight n. a small knob of metal attached to the hoof or shoe of a horse to modify the gait in trotting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > shoeing of horses > [noun] > horseshoe > parts of horseshoe
calkin1445
sponge1566
stopping1566
calk1587
spurn1696
quarter1727
welt1758
heel1770
cock1789
cork1806
seating1831
toe-weight1901
1901 Scribner's Mag. Apr. 422/1 A trotting dandy who sported ankle-boots and toe-weights, pulled up before him.
toe-wide adj. Farriery having the fore feet too far apart in standing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [adjective] > having particular type of feet > in particular position when standing
pigeon-toed1786
toe-wide1891
toe-narrow1903
1891Toe-wide [see toe-crack n.].
toe-writer n. one who writes with his toes; in quot. allusively.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > writer or author > [noun] > inferior writer
scribblera1556
paper-blurrera1586
by-writer1587
feather-driver1593
squitter-book1594
paper-stainer1596
blur-paper1603
spoil-paper1610
penster1611
inkhorn matea1616
squitter-wit1615
ink-dabbler1616
squitter-pulpa1640
quill-driver1700
scribble-scrabble1707
authorling1752
writerling1802
inkhorn varlet1820
toe-writer1845
pen-driver1854
anonymuncule1859
ink-jerker1865
pen-pusher1875
pseudonymuncle1875
ink-spiller1881
ink-slinger1887
blotter-
1845 J. Kitto in Eadie Life (1861) ix. 307 The danger of being mixed up with the toe-writers and learned pigs of literature.
Draft additions September 2007
toe-poke n. Football a kick in which the ball is prodded or struck with the toes.
ΚΠ
1978 Times 15 Mar. 9/5 His toe-poke was well directed.
2000 Rugby World June 143/2 In this last category [sc. tries from kicks] a number of tries featured contain not a semblance of a toe-poke—perhaps the kick came early in the move and was edited out?
2006 Birmingham Evening Mail (Nexis) 26 Apr. 2 I couldn't manage to sidefoot the ball. I could only do a toe-poke.
Draft additions September 2007
toe-poke v. Football transitive to propel (a ball) using a toe-poke; cf. toe v. 3a.
ΚΠ
1985 Associated Press Newswire (Nexis) 18 Jan. Kewley then toe-poked the winning goal into the net from inside the penalty area to win it for the Wings late in regulation.
1997 Weekend Austral. (Nexis) 15 Feb. 32 I toe-poked, violently, every ball that came near me, sending it scudding into the hands of the opposing scrum-half.
2001 D. Mitchell Number 9 Dream 84 The enemy striker toe-pokes the ball under his nemesis.
Draft additions March 2021
1. to dip (also put, stick, etc.) one's toe in (the water) and variants: to try something new cautiously or gradually; to experiment tentatively.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > try experiments or make experiment [verb (intransitive)] > make trial run of something
to dip one's toe in (the water)1901
to try it on the (or a) dog1903
1901 E. Gosse Gossip in Libr. (new ed.) 333 If ever an author hesitated and reflected, dipped his toe into the bath of publicity, and hastily withdrew it again,..it was the Rev. Gilbert White.
1949 Hearing before Joint Comm. on Econ. Rep. U.S. Congr. (81st Congr., 1st Sess.) 487 I think we are beginning to get warmed up to the discussion. We are just putting our toes in the water.
2020 News Bites (Nexis) 29 Aug. There's a lot of excitement around AI [sc. artificial intelligence], in terms of..how it could improve care quality while also driving financial outcomes; but not a lot of organizations have dipped their toes in yet.
2.
toe in the water n. (also toe in the waters) colloquial a cautious or gradual way of trying something new; esp. a small-scale or low-risk means of testing the performance or viability of a new venture, product, etc., typically with a view to increased activity or investment later; a trial run.Often as a modifier.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > [noun] > trial run
try-out1903
toe in the water1963
1963 Daily Herald 21 Oct. 6/7 I tell you, mate, this is just the beginning, a toe in the water. When the real theatre is built (the Old Vic is the National Theatre's temporary home) it will embrace everything. All the experimental work going on all over the place will find one common head here.
1966 W. D. Wagoner Seminary ix. 185 The pace of ecumenical advance and scholarly cooperation will very quickly go beyond such toe-in-the-water approaches.
1987 Guardian (Nexis) 8 May Mr Patten said that although the scheme was an important breakthrough in bringing private finance into public housing it was ‘just a toe in the water... In the next three or four years, tens of thousands of homes could be provided by these methods.’
2005 Wine Internat. Jan. 40/3 Australian wine was now firmly established as a quality..product... One of the supermarkets placed a ‘toe in the water’ order for 1,800 dozen bottles of Tahbilk.
2018 Central Western Daily (Austral.) (Nexis) 12 July Usually people will try a pop-up shop to test if the market will work for them. It's a toe in the water.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
toev.
/təʊ/, U.S. /toʊ/ 1. transitive. To furnish with a toe or toes; to make or put a new toe on (a stocking, etc.): cf. heel v.3 4; also with off, to complete (a sock, etc.) by knitting the toe and then casting off. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > making other clothing > make other clothing [verb (transitive)] > carry out specific processes
stock1520
sole1570
toe1608
tag1627
foot1663
refoot1827
re-cover1896
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [verb (transitive)] > knit > processes involved in
purla1825
rib1837
to cast on1840
increase1840
slip1840
turn1846
toe1856
to knock over1875
to cast off1880
land1885
rep1951
raschel1970
1608 T. Cocks Diary 1 Feb. (1901) 26 Paide for heelinge & toynge a payer of iersy stockings vj d.
1660 J. Howell Θηρολογια 39 They all bowed their snaky heads down to their very feet, which were toed with Scorpions.
1856 M. J. Holmes Homestead 126 She..was toeing off the stocking only that morning commenced.
1870 G. M. Hopkins Jrnls. & Papers (1959) 196 The next morning a heavy fall of snow. It tufted and toed the firs and yews.
2. To touch or reach with the toes; chiefly in to toe a (also the) line (or mark, scratch, crack, trig) (trig n.2), to stand with the tips of one's toes exactly touching a line; to stand in a row; hence figurative to present oneself in readiness for a race, contest, or undertaking; also, to conform, esp. to the defined standard or platform of a party. Also (U.S.) to toe up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > form (a) row(s) or line(s [verb (intransitive)]
rank1582
range1697
to fall in (also into) line1747
line1790
to line up1796
to toe a (also the) line (or mark, scratch, crack, trig)1813
daisy-chain1968
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare or get ready [verb (intransitive)] > be prepared or ready > present oneself in readiness
to toe a (also the) line (or mark, scratch, crack, trig)1813
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)] > be ready for
to toe a (also the) line (or mark, scratch, crack, trig)1854
to be loaded (for)1888
to cover all the bases1941
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > direct one's conduct by a rule [verb (intransitive)] > conform
conform1393
to swim with or down the stream or the tide1592
symbolize1605
comply1655
to fall in (also into) line1837
to toe a (also the) line (or mark, scratch, crack, trig)1895
society > authority > subjection > obedience > obey or be obedient [verb (intransitive)] > conform to a standard
to toe a (also the) line (or mark, scratch, crack, trig)1895
1813 ‘H. Bull-Us’ Diverting Hist. John Bull & Brother Jonathan (ed. 2) xii. 62 He began to think it was high time to toe the mark.
1817 Deb. Congr. U.S. 30 Jan. (1854) 792 The necessity appeared..of toeing the trig, and standing there at all hazards.
1826 W. N. Glascock Naval Sketch-bk. (ed. 2) I. 271 The brigades of seamen embodied to act with our troops in America, as well as in the north coast of Spain, contrived to ‘ship a bagnet’ on a pinch, and to ‘toe’ (for that was the phrase) ‘a tolerable line’.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. ix. 119 He desired us to ‘toe a line’, which means to stand in a row.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxvii. 295 The chief mate..marked a line on the deck, brought the two boys up to it, making them ‘toe the mark’.
1854 ‘C. Bede’ Further Adventures Mr. Verdant Green (ed. 2) iv. 37 Toeing the scratch for business.
1862 A. Maclaren Milit. Syst. Gymnastic Exerc. 37 There should be..a permanent mark to ‘toe’ at starting.
1895 Westm. Gaz. 15 Jan. 8/1 The phrase ‘toeing the line’ is very much in favour with some Liberals.
1901 S. Merwin & H. K. Webster Calumet ‘K’ xii. 226 I'll give Brown one more warning..and then if he doesn't toe up, I'll get one and send him the bill.
1905 Eng. Dial. Dict. VI. 235/2 The player may ‘toe the trig’, but may not overstep it.
1910 Daily News 30 Mar. 7 To-day they had decided to toe the line with the progressive workers of the country.
3.
a. To kick with the toe.
ΚΠ
1865 F. H. Nixon Peter Perfume 58 Tom toed them out.
b. Golf. To strike (a ball) with the tip of the club: cf. heel v.3 7.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > golf > play golf [verb (transitive)] > type of play or stroke
drive1743
draw1842
heel1857
hook1857
loft1857
founder1878
to top a ball1881
chip1889
duff1890
pull1890
slice1890
undercut1891
hack1893
toe1893
spoon1896
borrow1897
overdrive1900
trickle1902
bolt1909
niblick1909
socket1911
birdie1921
eagle1921
shank1925
explode1926
bird1930
three-putt1946
bogey1948
double-bogey1952
fade1953
1893 Lang in Longman's Mag. Apr. 651 They might toe or heel the ball.
4. intransitive. To move the toe, to tap rhythmically with the toe in dancing; to toe and heel (it), to dance.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > [verb (intransitive)]
frikec1000
sail1297
dancec1300
sault1377
tripc1386
balea1400
hopc1405
foota1425
tracec1425
sallyc1440
to dance a fita1500
fling1528
to tread a measure, a dance1577
trip1578
traverse1584
move1594
to shake heels1595
to shake it1595
firk1596
tripudiate1623
pettitoe1651
step1698
jink1718
to stand up1753
bejig1821
to toe and heel (it)1828
morris1861
hoof1925
terp1945
1828 Examiner 630/1 A Sailor toe-and-heels it, and lock~steps and straddles.
1859 C. Dickens Haunted House: Ghost in Corner Room in All Year Round Extra Christmas No., 13 Dec. 48 There ensued such toe-and-heeling, and buckle-covering, and double-shuffling.
1882 Punch 27 Dec. 302/2 Fiddler, tune up merrily! Toe and heel it happily.
Categories »
5. transitive. Carpentry. To secure or join together by nails driven obliquely: see toed adj. 2.
6. Originally U.S.
a. intransitive. To turn the toes in or out. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > turn toes in or out
squalla1661
toe1877
1877 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 4) 710 To toe in, to turn in the toes.
1894 14th Rep. Vermont State Board Agric. 120 Avoid a horse which toes in or toes out.
1945 B. Macdonald Egg & I (1946) i. 16 She toed out and had trouble with her arches.
1950 J. Dempsey Championship Fighting 70 If you toe-in slightly with the left foot, you'll get greater freedom in the whirl.
b. Of a pair of wheels: to have a slight forward convergence ( to toe in) or divergence ( to toe out). Also transitive (causatively).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles according to means of motion > vehicle moving on wheels > move on wheels [verb (intransitive)] > (of wheels) incline inwards or outwards
toe1926
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles according to means of motion > vehicle moving on wheels > move on wheels [verb (transitive)] > cause wheels to incline inwards or outwards
toe1926
1926 J. A. Moyer Gasoline Automobiles (ed. 2) i. 25 To facilitate steering, the front wheels of the conventional rear-wheel drive ‘toe in’ about 1/ 4 to 3/ 8 inch.
1929 K. Newton & W. Steeds Motor Vehicle xxvii. 324 The alignment of the wheels should be checked occasionally since if the wheels should get to ‘toe-out’ the wear on the tyres will be excessive.
1939 Automobile Engineer XXIX. 40/1 In addition to a camber change, the wheel is ‘toed-in’ as it rises or falls in relation to the car.
1962 Which? Car Suppl. Oct. 139/1 Front wheel alignment [was] toeing out 1/ 8 in. instead of toeing in 1/ 8 in.
1976 Crouse & Anglin Pocket Automotive Dict. 101 On a turn, the inner wheel turns, or toes out, more.
Derivatives
ˈtoeing n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of visible parts > [noun] > of the digits
ainhum1867
toeing1871
baseball finger1873
phalangitis1877
Raynaud1883
mallet finger1894
toe-drop1899
white finger1918
society > leisure > dancing > movements or steps > [noun] > movement > specific movements
gambol1509
gamond?a1513
frisco?1520
brawl1521
frisk1525
friscal1570
goat's jump1589
caper1592
capriole1596
capering1598
amble1607
friscado1634
rising1694
sink1706
moulinet1785
ballon1828
toeing1871
bump1931
heel turn1933
partnering1939
grind1946
shake1946
thigh lift1949
cambré1952
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > knitting > processes involved in
grafting1841
toeing1871
increase1872
knocking over1875
underlap1926
plating1937
knock-over1952
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles according to means of motion > vehicle moving on wheels > [noun] > parts of vehicle moving on wheels > wheel > inclination inwards or outwards
toeing1871
swing1875
toe-in1929
toe-out1930
1871 G. Meredith in Cornhill Mag. Oct. 404 Your French phrases and toeings!
1876 A. D. Whitney Sights & Insights I. 21 It is the ‘toeing off’ that is the satisfaction, after all, even whilst you knit the stocking.
1891 S. M. Welch Home Hist. 116 That peculiar turn of the foot called ‘toeing in’ which in the white girl would be called ‘pigeon toed’.
1904 M. E. Waller Wood-carver 36 Ther ain't nothin' more ter learn but ‘toein' off’.
1928 Bureau of Standards Jrnl. Res. (U.S.) 1 24 The common practice of cambering and toeing in of the front wheels of an automobile doubtless influences the tread wear.
1962 R. H. Smythe Anat. Dog Breeding 77 Such a dog might show no sign of toeing-in.
1970 K. Ball Fiat 600, 600D Autobook vii. 78/1 The final torque loading of the short arm mounting pin nut is determined after the toeing-in procedure.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.c725
v.1608