TREAD


Meaning of TREAD in English

I. ˈtred verb

( trod ˈträd ; also tread·ed ; trod·den ˈträ-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

- tread water

II. noun

Date: 13th century

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 -ləs adjective

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.