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. on 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. toed adj. (also in comb.). toeless adj.
[ OE ta f. Gmc ]