[tread] vb trod also tread.ed ; trod.den or trod ; tread.ing [ME treden, fr. OE tredan; akin to OHG tretan to tread] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to step or walk on or over b: to walk along: follow
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 "~ a path" b: to execute by stepping or dancing "~ a measure" ~ vi 1: to move on foot: walk
2. a: to set foot b: to put one's foot: step
3: copulate -- tread.er n -- 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 usu. aided by the hands
[2]tread n (13c) 1: a mark (as a footprint or the imprint of a tire) made by or as if by treading
2. a (1): the action of treading (2): an act or instance of treading: step b: manner of stepping c: the sound of treading 3 a: the part of a shoe or boot sole that touches the ground; also: the pattern on the bottom of a sole b (1): the part of a wheel or tire that makes contact with a road or rail (2): the pattern of ridges or grooves made or cut in the face of a tire
4: the distance between the points of contact with the ground of the two front wheels or the two rear wheels of a vehicle
5. a: the upper horizontal part of a step b: the width of such a tread -- tread.less adj