[hoof] n, pl hooves also hoofs [ME, fr. OE hof; akin to OHG huof hoof, Skt sapha] (bef. 12c) 1: a curved covering of horn that protects the front of or encloses the ends of the digits of an ungulate mammal and that corresponds to a nail or claw
2: a hoofed foot esp. of a horse -- on the hoof of a meat animal: before butchering: living "90 cents a pound on the hoof"
[2]hoof vt (1641) 1: walk "~ed it to the lecture hall"
2: kick, trample ~ vi: to move on the feet; esp: dance