v. & n.
--v.
1. intr. a (of a person or other biped) progress by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once. b progress with similar movements (walked on his hands). c go with the gait usual except when speed is desired. d (of a quadruped) go with the slowest gait, always having at least two feet on the ground at once.
2 intr. a travel or go on foot. b take exercise in this way (walks for two hours each day).
3 tr. perambulate, traverse on foot at walking speed, tread the floor or surface of.
4 tr. a cause to walk with one. b accompany in walking. c ride or lead (a horse, dog, etc.) at walking pace. d take charge of (a puppy) at walk (see sense 4 of n.).
5 intr. (of a ghost) appear.
6 intr. Cricket leave the wicket on being out.
7 Baseball a intr. reach first base on balls. b tr. allow to do this.
8 intr. archaic live in a specified manner, conduct oneself (walk humbly; walk with God).
9 intr. US sl. be released from suspicion or from a charge.
--n.
1. a an act of walking, the ordinary human gait (go at a walk). b the slowest gait of an animal. c a person's manner of walking (know him by his walk).
2 a taking a (usu. specified) time to walk a distance (is only ten minutes' walk from here; it's quite a walk to the bus-stop). b an excursion on foot, a stroll or constitutional (go for a walk). c a journey on foot completed to earn money promised for a charity etc.
3 a a place, track, or route intended or suitable for walking; a promenade, colonnade, or footpath. b a person's favourite place or route for walking. c the round of a postman, hawker, etc.
4 a farm etc. where a hound-puppy is sent to accustom it to various surroundings.
5 the place where a gamecock is kept.
6 a part of a forest under one keeper.
Phrases and idioms:
in a walk without effort (won in a walk). walk about stroll. walk all over colloq.
1. defeat easily.
2 take advantage of.
walk away from
1. easily outdistance.
2 refuse to become involved with; fail to deal with.
3 survive (an accident etc.) without serious injury. walk away with colloq. walk off with. walk the boards be an actor. walk the hospitals walk the wards. walk in (often foll. by on) enter or arrive, esp. unexpectedly or easily.
walk into
1. colloq. encounter through unwariness (walked into the trap).
2 sl. archaic attack forcefully.
3 sl. archaic eat heartily.
walk it
1. make a journey on foot, not ride.
2 colloq. achieve something (esp. a victory) easily. walk Matilda see MATILDA.
walk off
1. depart (esp. abruptly).
2 get rid of the effects of (a meal, ailment, etc.) by walking (walked off his anger). walk a person off his or her feet (or legs) exhaust a person with walking.
walk off with colloq.
1. steal.
2 win easily. walk of life an occupation, profession, or calling.
walk-on
1. (in full walk-on part) walking-on part.
2 the player of this. walk on air see AIR.
walk out
1. depart suddenly or angrily.
2 (usu. foll. by with) Brit. archaic go for walks in courtship. walk-out n. a sudden angry departure, esp. as a protest or strike. walk out on desert, abandon.
walk over
1. colloq. walk all over.
2 (often absol.) traverse (a racecourse) without needing to hurry, because one has no opponents or only inferior ones. walk-over n. an easy victory or achievement. walk the plank see PLANK. walk the streets 1 be a prostitute.
2 traverse the streets esp. in search of work etc. walk tall colloq. feel justifiable pride. walk up! a showman's invitation to a circus etc. walk-up US adj. (of a building) allowing access to the upper floors only by stairs.
--n. a walk-up building. walk up to approach (a person) for a talk etc. walk the wards be a medical student.
Derivatives:
walkable adj.
Etymology: OE wealcan roll, toss, wander, f. Gmc