n.
Pronunciation: ' tred
Function: verb
Inflected Form: trod \ ' träd \ also tread · ed ; trod · den \ ' trä-d ə n \ or trod ; tread · ing
Etymology: Middle English treden, from Old English tredan; akin to Old High German tretan to tread
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to step or walk on or over b : to walk or proceed along : FOLLOW < tread ing a fine line between tradition and innovation>
2 a : to beat or press with the feet : TRAMPLE b : to subdue or repress as if by trampling : CRUSH
3 : to copulate with ― used of a male bird
4 a : to form by treading : BEAT < tread a path> b : to execute by stepping or dancing < tread a measure>
intransitive verb
1 : to move or proceed on or as if on foot <must tread lightly>
2 a : to set foot <has gone where others fear to tread > b : to put one's foot : STEP <carelessly tread ing on the flowers>
3 : COPULATE
– tread · er noun
– tread on one's toes : to give offense (as by encroaching on one's rights or feelings)
– tread water : to keep the body nearly upright in the water and the head above water by a treading motion of the feet usually aided by the hands