təu n. & v. --n. 1
any of
the five terminal projections of the
foot. 2 the corresponding
part of an
animal. 3 the part of an
item of
footwear that covers the toes. 4 the lower
end or tip of an
implement etc. 5 Archit. a
projection from the foot of a
buttress etc. to
give stability. --v. (toes, toed, toeing) 1 tr.
touch (a starting-line etc.)
with the toes
before starting a race. 2 tr. a
mend the toe of (a sock etc.). b
provide with a toe. 3 intr. (foll. by
in, out) a
walk with the toes
pointed in (or out). b (of a
pair of wheels)
converge (or diverge) slightly at the
front. 4 tr.
Golf strike (the ball) with a part of the
club too near the toe. øon one's toes
alert,
eager. toe-clip a clip on a bicycle-pedal to
prevent the foot from slipping. toe-hold 1 a
small foothold. 2 a small
beginning or
advantage. toe the line
conform to a
general policy or
principle,
esp. unwillingly or
under pressure.
turn up one's toes colloq. die. øøtoed adj. (also in comb.). toeless adj. [OE ta f. Gmc]
