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.
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Derivatives:
toed adj. (also in comb.). toeless adj.
Etymology: OE ta f. Gmc