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toe definition

toe (tō)

noun

    1. any of the five jointed parts at the front of the human foot; digit
    2. the forepart of the human foot
    3. the part of a shoe, sock, etc. that covers the toes
  2. any of the digits of an animal's foot, or the forepart of a hoof, etc.
  3. anything suggesting a toe in location, shape, or function; specif.,
    1. a pivot or journal extending vertically in a bearing
    2. a projecting arm raised or moved by a cam

Etymology: ME to < OE ta, earlier tahe, akin to Ger zehe < IE base *dei-, to show > teach, L dicere, to say, digitus

transitive verb toed, toeing toe′·ing

  1. to provide with a toe or toes
  2. to touch, kick, etc. with the toes to toe a starting line
  3. Carpentry
    1. to drive (a nail) slantingly
    2. to clinch or fasten with nails driven slantingly; toenail

intransitive verb

☆ to stand, walk, or be formed so that the toes are in a specified position to toe in or toe out
toe Idioms

on one's toes

Informal mentally or physically alert

step on someone's toes

or tread on someone's toes
to offend someone, esp. by trespassing or intruding on prerogatives or rights

toe the line

or toe the mark
  1. to stand or crouch with the toes touching the starting line of a race, etc.
  2. to follow orders, rules, doctrines, etc. strictly

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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