~ 1
■ noun
1》 the upper front part of a boot or shoe.
2》 (in jazz and popular music) a short, simple introductory passage, usually repeated several times until otherwise instructed.
■ verb
1》 ( ~ something up ) informal repair or improve something.
2》 repeat a short, simple passage of music.
3》 attach a new upper to (a boot or shoe).
Origin
ME (denoting the foot of a stocking, later something patched or improvised): shortening of OFr. avantpie , from avant 'before' + pie 'foot'.
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~ 2
informal
■ noun a woman who uses sexual attraction to exploit men.
■ verb blatantly set out to attract (a man).
Derivatives
~ish adjective
~ishly adverb
~ishness noun
~y adjective
Origin
early 20th cent.: abbrev. of ~ire .