toe
(tō)n.1. a. One of the digits of a vertebrate foot.
b. The forepart of a foot or hoof.
c. The terminal segment of an invertebrate's limb.
2. The part of a sock, shoe, or boot that covers the digits of the foot.
3. The lowest, outermost, or endmost part, as:
a. The part of the head of a golf club farthest from the shaft.
b. The part of a vertical shaft that turns in a bearing.
c. The lowest part of an embankment or dam.
d. Geology A protruding downslope end of an alluvial fan, glacier, or lava flow.
v. toed, toe·ing, toes
v.tr.1. To touch, kick, or reach with the toe.
2. To drive (a golf ball) with the toe of the club.
3. To set or adjust at an oblique angle. Used with in or out.
4. a. To drive (a nail or spike) at an oblique angle.
b. To fasten or secure with obliquely driven nails or spikes.
v.intr. To stand, walk, move, or be formed with the toes pointed in a specified direction: He toes out.
Idioms: on (one's) toes Ready to act; alert.
step/tread on (someone's) toes To hurt, offend, or encroach on the feelings, actions, or province of.
toe the line/mark1. To adhere to doctrines or rules conscientiously; conform.
2. Sports & Games To touch a mark or line with the toe or hands in readiness for the start of a race or competition.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
toe
(təʊ) n1. (Anatomy) any one of the digits of the foot
2. (Zoology) the corresponding part in other vertebrates
3. (Clothing & Fashion) the part of a shoe, sock, etc, covering the toes
4. anything resembling a toe in shape or position
5. (General Sporting Terms) the front part of the head of a golf club, hockey stick, etc
6. (Mechanical Engineering) the lower bearing of a vertical shaft assembly
7. (Mechanical Engineering) the tip of a cam follower that engages the cam profile
8. dip one's toe in dip one's toes in informal to begin doing or try something new or unfamiliar
9. on one's toes alert
10. tread on someone's toes to offend or insult a person, esp by trespassing on his or her field of responsibility
11. turn up one's toes informal to die
12. slang Austral speed: a player with plenty of toe.
vb,
toes,
toeing or toed13. (tr) to touch, kick, or mark with the toe
14. (Golf) (tr) golf to strike (the ball) with the toe of the club
15. (Building) (tr) to drive (a nail, spike, etc) obliquely
16. (intr) to walk with the toes pointing in a specified direction: to toe inwards.
17. toe the line to conform to expected standards, attitudes, etc
[Old English tā; related to Old Frisian tāne, Old Norse tā, Old High German zēha, Latin digitus finger]
ˈtoeˌlike adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
toe
(toʊ)
n., v. toed, toe•ing. n. 1. one of the terminal digits of the foot.
2. the forepart of a hoof.
3. the forepart of a shoe or stocking.
4. a part resembling a toe in shape or position.
5. a. a journal or part placed vertically in a bearing, as the lower end of a vertical shaft.
b. a curved partial cam lifting the flat surface of a follower and letting it drop; wiper.
6. the outer end of the head of a golf club.
v.t. 7. to furnish with a toe or toes.
8. to touch with the toes.
9. to kick with the toe.
10. to strike (a golf ball) with the toe of the club.
v.i. 11. to stand, walk, etc., with the toes in a specified position: to toe in.
12. to tap with the toe, as in dancing.
Idioms: 1. on one's toes, energetic; alert; ready: Competition will keep you on your toes.
2. step or tread on someone's toes, to offend a person by encroaching on his or her rights or responsibilities.
3. toe the line or mark, a. to conform strictly to a rule, command, etc.
b. to do one's duty.
[before 900; Middle English; Old English tā, c. Middle Dutch tee, Old High German zēha, Old Norse tā]
toe′less, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.