(in vertebrates) the terminal part of the leg, below the ankle joint, on which the body stands and moves.
2.
(in invertebrates) any part similar in position or function.
3.
such a part considered as the organ of locomotion.
4.
a unit of length, originally derived from the length of the human foot. It is divided into 12 inches and equal to 30.48 centimeters. Abbreviation:ft., f.
5.
foot soldiers; infantry.
6.
walking or running motion; pace: swift of foot.
7.
quality or character of movement or motion; tread; step.
8.
any part or thing resembling a foot, as in function, placement, shape, etc.
9.
Furniture.
a.
a shaped or ornamented feature terminating a leg at its lower part.
b.
any of several short legs supporting a central shaft, as of a pedestal table.
10.
a rim, flange, or flaring part, often distinctively treated, serving as a base for a table furnishing or utensil, as a glass, teapot, or candlestick.
11.
the part of a stocking, sock, etc., covering the foot.
12.
the lowest part, or bottom, of anything, as of a hill, ladder, page, etc.
13.
a supporting part; base.
14.
the part of anything opposite the top or head: He waited patiently at the foot of the checkout line.
15.
the end of a bed, grave, etc., toward which the feet are placed: Put the blanket at the foot of the bed, please.
16.
Printing. the part of the type body that forms the sides of the groove, at the base.
17.
the last, as of a series.
18.
that which is written at the bottom, as the total of an account.
19.
Prosody. a group of syllables constituting a metrical unit of a verse.
The lower extremity of the vertebrate leg that is in direct contact with the ground in standing or walking.
A structure used for locomotion or attachment in an invertebrate animal, such as the muscular organ extending from the ventral side of a mollusk.
Something suggestive of a foot in position or function, especially:
The lowest part; the bottom: the foot of a mountain; the foot of a page.
The end opposite the head, top, or front: the foot of a bed; the foot of a parade.
The termination of the leg of a piece of furniture, especially when shaped or modeled.
The part of a sewing machine that holds down and guides the cloth.
Nautical The lower edge of a sail.
Printing The part of a type body that forms the sides of the groove at the base.
Botany The base of the sporophyte in mosses and liverworts.
A manner of moving; a step: walks with a light foot.
Speed or momentum, as in a race: "the only other Democrats who've demonstrated any foot till now"(Michael Kramer).
The inferior part or rank: at the foot of the class.
The part of a stocking or high-topped boot that encloses the foot.
A manner of moving; a step: walks with a light foot.
Speed or momentum, as in a race: "the only other Democrats who've demonstrated any foot till now"(Michael Kramer).
(used with a pl. verb) Foot soldiers; infantry.
A unit of poetic meter consisting of stressed and unstressed syllables in any of various set combinations. For example, an iambic foot has an unstressed followed by a stressed syllable.
Abbr. ft. or ft A unit of length in the U.S. Customary and British Imperial systems equal to 12 inches (0.3048 meter). See Table at measurement.
foots Sediment that forms during the refining of oil and other liquids; dregs.
v.
foot·ed, foot·ing, foots
v.
intr.
To go on foot; walk. Often used with it:When their car broke down, they had to foot it the rest of the way.
To dance. Often used with it:"We foot it all the night/weaving olden dances"(William Butler Yeats).
Nautical To make headway; sail.
v.
tr.
To go by foot over, on, or through; tread.
To execute the steps of (a dance).
To add up (a column of numbers) and write the sum at the bottom; total: footed up the bill.
To pay; defray: footed the expense of their children's education.
To provide (a stocking, for example) with a foot.
[Middle English fot, from Old English fōt; see ped- in Indo-European roots.]
Usage Note: In Standard English, foot and feet have their own rules when they are used in combination with numbers to form expressions for units of measure: a four-foot plank, but not a four feet plank; also correct is a plank four feet long (or, less frequently, four foot long). When foot is combined with numbers greater than one to refer to simple distance, however, only the plural feet is used: a ledge 20 feet (not foot) away. At that speed, a car moves 88 feet (not foot) in a second.
Our Living Language: Some people in New England and the South use constructions such as three foot and five mile in place of Standard English three feet and five miles in certain contexts. Some speakers extend this practice to measures of time, as in He was gone three year, though this is not as common. Interestingly, such constructions are used only if a specific numeral (other than one) precedes the noun. Thus, She gave me four gallon of cider can be heard in vernacular speech; however, no one would say She gave me gallon of cider for She gave me gallons of cider. This is because the numeral makes apparent the plural meaning that would not be specified if both the numeral and the plural form were omitted. See Notes at comparative, plural, redundancy.
O.E. fot, from P.Gmc. *fot (cf. O.N. fotr, Du. voet, Ger. Fuß, Goth. fotus "foot"), from PIE *pod-/*ped- (cf. Avestan pad-; Skt. pat, acc. padam "foot;" Gk. pos, Attic pous, gen. podos; L. pes, gen. pedis "foot;" Lith. padas "sole," peda "footstep"). Plural form feet is an instance of i-mutation. Of a bed, grave, etc., first recorded 1300. The linear measurement of 12 inches is first recorded in O.E., from the length of a man's foot. To foot a bill is attested from 1848, from the process of tallying the expenses and writing the figure at the bottom ("foot") of the bill. Theatrical footlights is first attested 1836; footnote is from 1841. Colloquial exclamation my foot! expressing "contemptuous contradiction" is first attested 1923, probably a euphemism for my ass, in the same sense, which dates back to 1796. The metrical foot (O.E., translating L. pes, Gk. pous in the same sense) is commonly taken as a reference to keeping time by tapping the foot. To get off on the right foot is from 1909; to put one's best foot foremost first recorded 1849.
the part of the leg on which a person or animal stands or walks Example: My feet are very sore from walking so far.
Arabic:
قَدَم
Chinese (Simplified):
脚
Chinese (Traditional):
腳
Czech:
noha
Danish:
fod
Dutch:
voet
Estonian:
(laba)jalg
Finnish:
jalka
French:
pied
German:
der Fuß
Greek:
πόδι
Hungarian:
láb(fej)
Icelandic:
fótur
Indonesian:
kaki
Italian:
piede
Japanese:
足
Latvian:
(kājas) pēda
Lithuanian:
pėda, koja
Norwegian:
fot
Polish:
stopa, noga
Portuguese (Brazil):
pé
Portuguese (Portugal):
pé
Romanian:
picior
Russian:
ступня, нога; лапа
Slovak:
noha
Slovenian:
noga
Spanish:
pie
Swedish:
fot
Turkish:
ayak
foot2[fut]noun
the lower part of anything Example: at the foot of the hill
Arabic:
أسْفَل الشَيئ
Chinese (Simplified):
最下部
Chinese (Traditional):
最下部
Czech:
úpatí
Danish:
fod
Dutch:
voet
Estonian:
jalam, alaosa
Finnish:
alaosa, juuri
French:
pied
German:
der Fuß
Greek:
βάση, το κάτω μέρος από κτ.
Hungarian:
láb(azat)
Icelandic:
brekkufótur; fjallsrót; neðsti hluti
Indonesian:
kaki
Italian:
piede, base
Japanese:
下部
Latvian:
kalna pakāje
Lithuanian:
apačia, papėdė
Norwegian:
fot(stykke), sokkel
Polish:
dół, podnóże
Portuguese (Brazil):
pé, base
Portuguese (Portugal):
sopé
Romanian:
parte de jos
Russian:
нижняя часть;подножие
Slovak:
päta
Slovenian:
vznožje
Spanish:
pie
Swedish:
fot, nederdel
Turkish:
etek
foot3[fut]noun
(plural often foot; often abbreviated to ft when written) a measure of length equal to twelve inches (30.48 cm) Example: He is five feet/foot six inches tall; a four-foot wall
footAudio Help (ft) Pronunciation Key Pluralfeet (fēt)
A unit of length in the US Customary System equal to 1/3 of a yard or 12 inches (30.48 centimeters). See Table at measurement.
Main Entry: foot Pronunciation: 'fut Function: noun Inflected Form: pluralfeet/'fEt/alsofoot 1:
the terminal part of the vertebrate leg upon which an individual stands 2: any of various units of length based on the length of the human foot; especially: a
unit equal to 1/3 yard or 12 inches or 30.48 centimeters —plural foot used between a number and a noun <a 10-foot pole>; —plural feet or
foot used between a number and an adjective <6 feet tall>
Dis*patch"\ (?; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dispatched; p. pr. & vb. n. Dispatching.] [OF. despeechier, F. d['e]p[^e]cher; prob. from pref. des- (L. dis-) + (assumed) LL. pedicare to place obstacles in the way, fr. L. pedica fetter, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Impeach, Despatch.] [Written also despatch.]1. To dispose of speedily, as business; to execute quickly; to make a speedy end of; to finish; to perform. Ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we The business we have talked of. --Shak. [The] harvest men . . . almost in one fair day dispatcheth all the harvest work. --Robynson (More's Utopia). 2. To rid; to free. [Obs.] I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge. --Udall. 3. To get rid of by sending off; to send away hastily. Unless dispatched to the mansion house in the country . . . they perish among the lumber of garrets. --Walpole. 4. To send off or away; -- particularly applied to sending off messengers, messages, letters, etc., on special business, and implying haste. Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the emperor's cou??. --Shak. 5. To send out of the world; to put to death. The company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords. --Ezek. xxiii. 47. Syn: To expedite; hasten; speed; accelerate; perform; conclude; finish; slay; kill.
Ex"pe*dite\, a. [L. expeditus, p. p. of expedire to free one caught by the foot, to extricate, set free, bring forward, make ready; ex out + pes, prdis, t. See Foot.]1. Free of impediment; unimpeded. To make the way plain and expedite. --Hooker. 2. Expeditious; quick; speedily; prompt. Nimble and expedite . . . in its operation. --Tollotson. Speech is a very short and expedite way of conveying their thoughts. --Locke.
Fet\, v. t. [OE. fetten, feten, AS. fetian; akin to AS. f[ae]t a journey, and to E. foot; cf. G. fassen to seize. [root] 77. See Foot, and cf. Fetch.] To fetch. [Obs.] And from the other fifty soon the prisoner fet. --Spenser.
Fet"lock\, n. [OE. fetlak, fitlock, cf. Icel. fet pace, step, fit webbed foot of water birds, akin to E. foot. [root]77. See Foot.] The cushionlike projection, bearing a tuft of long hair, on the back side of the leg above the hoof of the horse and similar animals. Also, the joint of the limb at this point (between the great pastern bone and the metacarpus), or the tuft of hair. Their wounded steeds Fret fetlock deep in gore. --Shak.
Fet"ter\, n. [AS. fetor, feter; akin to OS. feter?s, pl., OD. veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel. fj["o]turr, L. pedi?a, Gr. ?, and to E. foot. [root] 77. See Foot.] [Chiefly used in the plural, fetters.]1. A chain or shackle for the feet; a chain by which an animal is confined by the foot, either made fast or disabled from free and rapid motion; a bond; a shackle. [They] bound him with fetters of brass. --Judg. xvi. 21. 2. Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint. Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound. --Dryden.
Foot\ (f[oo^]t), n.; pl. Feet (f[=e]t). [OE. fot, foot, pl. fet, feet. AS. f[=o]t, pl. f[=e]t; akin to D. voet, OHG. fuoz, G. fuss, Icel. f[=o]tr, Sw. fot, Dan. fod, Goth. f[=o]tus, L. pes, Gr. poy`s, Skr. p[=a]d, Icel. fet step, pace measure of a foot, feta to step, find one's way. [root]77, 250. Cf. Antipodes, Cap-a-pie, Expedient, Fet to fetch, Fetlock, Fetter, Pawn a piece in chess, Pedal.]1. (Anat.) The terminal part of the leg of man or an animal; esp., the part below the ankle or wrist; that part of an animal upon which it rests when standing, or moves. See Manus, and Pes. 2. (Zo["o]l.) The muscular locomotive organ of a mollusk. It is a median organ arising from the ventral region of body, often in the form of a flat disk, as in snails. See Illust. of Buccinum. 3. That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as, the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking. 4. The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as of a mountain or column; also, the last of a row or series; the end or extremity, esp. if associated with inferiority; as, the foot of a hill; the foot of the procession; the foot of a class; the foot of the bed. And now at foot Of heaven's ascent they lift their feet. --Milton. 5. Fundamental principle; basis; plan; -- used only in the singular. Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason. --Berkeley. 6. Recognized condition; rank; footing; -- used only in the singular. [R.] As to his being on the foot of a servant. --Walpole. 7. A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third of a yard. See Yard. Note: This measure is supposed to be taken from the length of a man's foot. It differs in length in different countries. In the United States and in England it is 304.8 millimeters. 8. (Mil.) Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry, usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the cavalry. "Both horse and foot." --Milton. 9. (Pros.) A combination of syllables consisting a metrical element of a verse, the syllables being formerly distinguished by their quantity or length, but in modern poetry by the accent. 10. (Naut.) The lower edge of a sail. Note: Foot is often used adjectively, signifying of or pertaining to a foot or the feet, or to the base or lower part. It is also much used as the first of compounds. Foot artillery. (Mil.) (a) Artillery soldiers serving in foot. (b) Heavy artillery. --Farrow. Foot bank (Fort.), a raised way within a parapet. Foot barracks (Mil.), barracks for infantery. Foot bellows, a bellows worked by a treadle. --Knight. Foot company (Mil.), a company of infantry. --Milton. Foot gear, covering for the feet, as stocking, shoes, or boots. Foot hammer (Mach.), a small tilt hammer moved by a treadle. Foot iron. (a) The step of a carriage. (b) A fetter. Foot jaw. (Zo["o]l.) See Maxilliped. Foot key (Mus.), an organ pedal. Foot level (Gunnery), a form of level used in giving any proposed angle of elevation to a piece of ordnance. --Farrow. Foot mantle, a long garment to protect the dress in riding; a riding skirt. [Obs.] Foot page, an errand boy; an attendant. [Obs.] Foot passenger, one who passes on foot, as over a road or bridge. Foot pavement, a paved way for foot passengers; a footway; a trottoir. Foot poet, an inferior poet; a poetaster. [R.] --Dryden. Foot post. (a) A letter carrier who travels on foot. (b) A mail delivery by means of such carriers. Fot pound, & Foot poundal. (Mech.) See Foot pound and Foot poundal, in the Vocabulary. Foot press (Mach.), a cutting, embossing, or printing press, moved by a treadle. Foot race, a race run by persons on foot. --Cowper. Foot rail, a railroad rail, with a wide flat flange on the lower side. Foot rot, an ulcer in the feet of sheep; claw sickness. Foot rule, a rule or measure twelve inches long. Foot screw, an adjusting screw which forms a foot, and serves to give a machine or table a level standing on an uneven place. Foot secretion. (Zo["o]l.) See Sclerobase. Foot soldier, a soldier who serves on foot. Foot stick (Printing), a beveled piece of furniture placed against the foot of the page, to hold the type in place. Foot stove, a small box, with an iron pan, to hold hot coals for warming the feet. Foot tubercle. (Zo["o]l.) See Parapodium. Foot valve (Steam Engine), the valve that opens to the air pump from the condenser. Foot vise, a kind of vise the jaws of which are operated by a treadle. Foot waling (Naut.), the inside planks or lining of a vessel over the floor timbers. --Totten. Foot wall (Mining), the under wall of an inclosed vein. By foot, or On foot, by walking; as, to pass a stream on foot. Cubic foot. See under Cubic. Foot and mouth disease, a contagious disease (Eczema epizo["o]tica) of cattle, sheep, swine, etc., characterized by the formation of vesicles and ulcers in the mouth and about the hoofs. Foot of the fine (Law), the concluding portion of an acknowledgment in court by which, formerly, the title of land was conveyed. See Fine of land, under Fine, n.; also Chirograph. (b). Square foot. See under Square. To be on foot, to be in motion, action, or process of execution. To keep the foot (Script.), to preserve decorum. "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God." --Eccl. v. 1. To put one's foot down, to take a resolute stand; to be determined. [Colloq.] To put the best foot foremost, to make a good appearance; to do one's best. [Colloq.] To set on foot, to put in motion; to originate; as, to set on foot a subscription. Toput, or set, one on his feet, to put one in a position to go on; to assist to start. Under foot. (a) Under the feet; (Fig.) at one's mercy; as, to trample under foot. --Gibbon. (b) Below par. [Obs.] "They would be forced to sell . . . far under foot." --Bacon.
Foot\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Footed; p. pr. & vb. n. Footing.]1. To tread to measure or music; to dance; to trip; to skip. --Dryden. 2. To walk; -- opposed to ride or fly. --Shak.
Foot\, v. t. 1. To kick with the foot; to spurn. --Shak. 2. To set on foot; to establish; to land. [Obs.] What confederacy have you with the traitors Late footed in the kingdom? --Shak. 3. To tread; as, to foot the green. --Tickell. 4. To sum up, as the numbers in a column; -- sometimes with up; as, to foot (or foot up) an account. 5. The size or strike with the talon. [Poet.] --Shak. 6. To renew the foot of, as of stocking. --Shak. To foot a bill, to pay it. [Colloq.] -- To foot it, to walk; also, to dance. If you are for a merry jaunt, I'll try, for once, who can foot it farthest. --Dryden.
Fyl"lot\, n. [Prov. fr. AS. fy?erf?te, fierf?te, fe['o]werf?te. See Four, and Foot, n.] A rebated cross, formerly used as a secret emblem, and a common ornament. It is also called gammadion, and swastika.
Im*peach"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impeached; p. pr. & vb. n. Impeaching.] [OE. empeechier to prevent, hinder, bar, F. emp[^e]cher, L. impedicare to entangle; pref. im- in + pedica fetter, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and Appeach, Dispatch, Impede.]1. To hinder; to impede; to prevent. [Obs.] These ungracious practices of his sons did impeach his journey to the Holy Land. --Sir J. Davies. A defluxion on my throat impeached my utterance. --Howell. 2. To charge with a crime or misdemeanor; to accuse; especially to charge (a public officer), before a competent tribunal, with misbehavior in office; to cite before a tribunal for judgement of official misconduct; to arraign; as, to impeach a judge. See Impeachment. 3. Hence, to charge with impropriety; to dishonor; to bring discredit on; to call in question; as, to impeach one's motives or conduct. And doth impeach the freedom of the state. --Shak. 4. (Law) To challenge or discredit the credibility of, as of a witness, or the validity of, as of commercial paper. Note: When used in law with reference to a witness, the term signifies, to discredit, to show or prove unreliable or unworthy of belief; when used in reference to the credit of witness, the term denotes, to impair, to lessen, to disparage, to destroy. The credit of a witness may be impeached by showing that he has made statements out of court contradictory to what he swears at the trial, or by showing that his reputation for veracity is bad, etc. Syn: To accuse; arraign; censure; criminate; indict; impair; disparage; discredit. See Accuse.
Im*pede"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Impeding.] [L. impedire, lit., to entangle the feet; pref. im- in + pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Impeach.] To hinder; to stop in progress; to obstruct; as, to impede the advance of troops. Whatever hinders or impedes The action of the nobler will. --Logfellow.
Pawn\, n. [OE. paune, poun, OF. peon, poon, F. pion, LL. pedo a foot soldier, fr. L. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Pioneer, Peon.] (Chess) A man or piece of the lowest rank.
Pe"dal\, a. [L. pedalis, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Pew.]1. Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or figuratively; specifically (Zo["o]l.), pertaining to the foot of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion. 2. Of or pertaining to a pedal; having pedals. Pedal curve or surface (Geom.), the curve or surface which is the locus of the feet of perpendiculars let fall from a fixed point upon the straight lines tangent to a given curve, or upon the planes tangent to a given surface. Pedal note (Mus.), the note which is held or sustained through an organ point. See Organ point, under Organ. Pedal organ (Mus.), an organ which has pedals or a range of keys moved by the feet; that portion of a full organ which is played with the feet.
Ped"es*tal\, n. [Sp. pedestal; cf. F. pi['e]destal, It. piedestallo; fr. L. es, pedis, foot + OHG. stal standing place, station, place, akin to E. stall. See Foot, and Stall, and Footstall.]1. (Arch.) The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp, or the like; the part on which an upright work stands. It consists of three parts, the base, the die or dado, and the cornice or surbase molding. See Illust. of Column. Build him a pedestal, and say, "Stand there!" --Cowper. 2. (a) (Railroad Cars) A casting secured to the frame of a truck and forming a jaw for holding a journal box. (b) (Mach.) A pillow block; a low housing. (c) (Bridge Building) An iron socket, or support, for the foot of a brace at the end of a truss where it rests on a pier. Pedestal coil (steam Heating), a group of connected straight pipes arranged side by side and one above another, -- used in a radiator.
Ped"i*ment\, n. [L. pes, pedis, a foot. See Foot.] (Arch.) Originally, in classical architecture, the triangular space forming the gable of a simple roof; hence, a similar form used as a decoration over porticoes, doors, windows, etc.; also, a rounded or broken frontal having a similar position and use. See Temple.
Pew\, n. [OE. pewe, OF. puie parapet, balustrade, balcony, fr. L. podium an elevated place, a jutty, balcony, a parapet or balcony in the circus, where the emperor and other distinguished persons sat, Gr. ?, dim. of ?, ?, foot; -- hence the Latin sense of a raised place (orig. as a rest or support for the foot). See Foot, and cf. Podium, Poy.]1. One of the compartments in a church which are separated by low partitions, and have long seats upon which several persons may sit; -- sometimes called slip. Pews were originally made square, but are now usually long and narrow. 2. Any structure shaped like a church pew, as a stall, formerly used by money lenders, etc.; a box in theater; a pen; a sheepfold. [Obs.] --Pepys. Milton. Pew opener, an usher in a church. [Eng.] --Dickens.
-pod\ [See Foot.] A combining form or suffix from Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot; as, decapod, an animal having ten feet; phyllopod, an animal having leaflike feet; myriapod, hexapod.
Pol"yp\, n. [L. polypus, Gr. ?, ?, literally, many-footed; poly`s many + ?, ?, foot: cf. F. polype. See Poly- and Foot, and cf. Polypode, Polypody, Poulp.] (Zo["o]l.) (a) One of the feeding or nutritive zooids of a hydroid or coral. (b) One of the Anthozoa. (c) pl. Same as Anthozoa. See Anthozoa, Madreporaria, Hydroid. [Written also polype.] Fresh-water polyp, the hydra. Polyp stem (Zo["o]l.), that portion of the stem of a siphonophore which bears the polypites, or feeding zooids.
Screw\ (skr[udd]), n. [OE. scrue, OF. escroue, escroe, female screw, F. ['e]crou, L. scrobis a ditch, trench, in LL., the hole made by swine in rooting; cf. D. schroef a screw, G. schraube, Icel. skr[=u]fa.]1. A cylinder, or a cylindrical perforation, having a continuous rib, called the thread, winding round it spirally at a constant inclination, so as to leave a continuous spiral groove between one turn and the next, -- used chiefly for producing, when revolved, motion or pressure in the direction of its axis, by the sliding of the threads of the cylinder in the grooves between the threads of the perforation adapted to it, the former being distinguished as the external, or male screw, or, more usually the screw; the latter as the internal, or female screw, or, more usually, the nut. Note: The screw, as a mechanical power, is a modification of the inclined plane, and may be regarded as a right-angled triangle wrapped round a cylinder, the hypotenuse of the marking the spiral thread of the screw, its base equaling the circumference of the cylinder, and its height the pitch of the thread. 2. Specifically, a kind of nail with a spiral thread and a head with a nick to receive the end of the screw-driver. Screws are much used to hold together pieces of wood or to fasten something; -- called also wood screws, and screw nails. See also Screw bolt, below. 3. Anything shaped or acting like a screw; esp., a form of wheel for propelling steam vessels. It is placed at the stern, and furnished with blades having helicoidal surfaces to act against the water in the manner of a screw. See Screw propeller, below. 4. A steam vesel propelled by a screw instead of wheels; a screw steamer; a propeller. 5. An extortioner; a sharp bargainer; a skinflint; a niggard. --Thackeray. 6. An instructor who examines with great or unnecessary severity; also, a searching or strict examination of a student by an instructor. [Cant, American Colleges] 7. A small packet of tobacco. [Slang] --Mayhew. 8. An unsound or worn-out horse, useful as a hack, and commonly of good appearance. --Ld. Lytton. 9. (Math.) A straight line in space with which a definite linear magnitude termed the pitch is associated (cf. 5th Pitch, 10 (b) ). It is used to express the displacement of a rigid body, which may always be made to consist of a rotation about an axis combined with a translation parallel to that axis. 10. (Zo["o]l.) An amphipod crustacean; as, the skeleton screw (Caprella). See Sand screw, under Sand. Archimedes screw, Compound screw, Foot screw, etc. See under Archimedes, Compound, Foot, etc. A screw loose, something out of order, so that work is not done smoothly; as, there is a screw loose somewhere. --H. Martineau. Endless, or perpetual, {screw, a screw used to give motion to a toothed wheel by the action of its threads between the teeth of the wheel; -- called also a worm. Lag screw. See under Lag. Micrometer screw, a screw with fine threads, used for the measurement of very small spaces. Right and left screw, a screw having threads upon the opposite ends which wind in opposite directions. Screw alley. See Shaft alley, under Shaft. Screw bean. (Bot.) (a) The curious spirally coiled pod of a leguminous tree (Prosopis pubescens) growing from Texas to California. It is used for fodder, and ground into meal by the Indians. (b) The tree itself. Its heavy hard wood is used for fuel, for fencing, and for railroad ties. Screw bolt, a bolt having a screw thread on its shank, in distinction from a key bolt. See 1st Bolt, 3. Screw box, a device, resembling a die, for cutting the thread on a wooden screw. Screw dock. See under Dock. Screw engine, a marine engine for driving a screw propeller. Screw gear. See Spiral gear, under Spiral. Screw jack. Same as Jackscrew. Screw key, a wrench for turning a screw or nut; a spanner wrench. Screw machine. (a) One of a series of machines employed in the manufacture of wood screws. (b) A machine tool resembling a lathe, having a number of cutting tools that can be caused to act on the work successively, for making screws and other turned pieces from metal rods. Screw pine (Bot.), any plant of the endogenous genus Pandanus, of which there are about fifty species, natives of tropical lands from Africa to Polynesia; -- named from the spiral arrangement of the pineapple-like leaves. Screw plate, a device for cutting threads on small screws, consisting of a thin steel plate having a series of perforations with internal screws forming dies. Screw press, a press in which pressure is exerted by means of a screw. Screw propeller, a screw or spiral bladed wheel, used in the propulsion of steam vessels; also, a steam vessel propelled by a screw. Screw shell (Zo["o]l.), a long, slender, spiral gastropod shell, especially of the genus Turritella and allied genera. See Turritella. Screw steamer, a steamship propelled by a screw. Screw thread, the spiral rib which forms a screw. Screw stone (Paleon.), the fossil stem of an encrinite. Screw tree (Bot.), any plant of the genus Helicteres, consisting of about thirty species of tropical shrubs, with simple leaves and spirally twisted, five-celled capsules; -- also called twisted-horn, and twisty. Screw valve, a stop valve which is opened or closed by a screw. Screw worm (Zo["o]l.), the larva of an American fly (Compsomyia macellaria), allied to the blowflies, which sometimes deposits its eggs in the nostrils, or about wounds, in man and other animals, with fatal results. Screw wrench. (a) A wrench for turning a screw. (b) A wrench with an adjustable jaw that is moved by a screw. To put thescrew, or screws, on, to use pressure upon, as for the purpose of extortion; to coerce. To put under thescrew or screws, to subject to pressure; to force. Wood screw, a metal screw with a sharp thread of coarse pitch, adapted to holding fast in wood. See Illust. of Wood screw, under Wood.
Stove\, n. [D. stoof a foot stove, originally, a heated room, a room for a bath; akin to G. stube room, OHG. stuba a heated room, AS. stofe, Icel. stofa a room, bathing room, Sw. stufva, stuga, a room, Dan. stue; of unknown origin. Cf. Estufa, Stew, Stufa.]1. A house or room artificially warmed or heated; a forcing house, or hothouse; a drying room; -- formerly, designating an artificially warmed dwelling or room, a parlor, or a bathroom, but now restricted, in this sense, to heated houses or rooms used for horticultural purposes or in the processes of the arts. When most of the waiters were commanded away to their supper, the parlor or stove being nearly emptied, in came a company of musketeers. --Earl of Strafford. How tedious is it to them that live in stoves and caves half a year together, as in Iceland, Muscovy, or under the pole! --Burton. 2. An apparatus, consisting essentially of a receptacle for fuel, made of iron, brick, stone, or tiles, and variously constructed, in which fire is made or kept for warming a room or a house, or for culinary or other purposes. Cooking stove, a stove with an oven, opening for pots, kettles, and the like, -- used for cooking. Dry stove. See under Dry. Foot stove. See under Foot. Franklin stove. See in the Vocabulary. Stove plant (Bot.), a plant which requires artificial heat to make it grow in cold or cold temperate climates. Stove plate, thin iron castings for the parts of stoves.
Tra*pe"zi*um\, n.; pl. E. Trapeziums, L. Trapezia. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a little table, an irregular four-sided figure, dim. of ? a table, for ?; ? (see Tetra-) + ? foot, akin to ? foot; hence, originally, a table with four feet. See Foot.]1. (Geom.) A plane figure bounded by four right lines, of which no two are parallel. 2. (Anat.) (a) A bone of the carpus at the base of the first metacarpal, or thumb. (b) A region on the ventral side of the brain, either just back of the pons Varolii, or, as in man, covered by the posterior extension of its transverse fibers.
Tri"pod\, n. [L. tripus, -odis, Gr. ?; ? (see Tri-) + ?, ?, foot. See Foot, and cf. Tripos, Trivet.]1. Any utensil or vessel, as a stool, table, altar, caldron, etc., supported on three feet. Note: On such, a stool, in the temple of Apollo at Delphi, the Pythian priestess sat while giving responses to those consulting the Delphic oracle. 2. A three-legged frame or stand, usually jointed at top, for supporting a theodolite, compass, telescope, camera, or other instrument. Tripod of life, or Vital tripod (Physiol.), the three organs, the heart, lungs, and brain; -- so called because their united action is necessary to the maintenance of life.
Triv"et\, n. [Probably through French fr. L. tripes, -edis, three-footed; tri- (see Tri-)+ pes, pedis, foot: cf. F. tr['e]pied. See Foot, and cf. Tripod.]1. A tree-legged stool, table, or other support; especially, a stand to hold a kettle or similar vessel near the fire; a tripod. [Written also trevet.] 2. A weaver's knife. See Trevat. --Knight. Trivet table, a table supported by three legs. --Dryden.
Un"der\, prep. [AS. under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. under, OS. undar, D. onder, G. unter, OHG. untar, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, Goth. undar, L. infra below, inferior lower, Skr. adhas below. [root]201. Cf. Inferior.]1. Below or lower, in place or position, with the idea of being covered; lower than; beneath; -- opposed to over; as, he stood under a tree; the carriage is under cover; a cellar extends under the whole house. Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles let down into wells under water, will keep long. --Bacon. Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven, Into one place. --Milton. 2. Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as follows; (a) Denoting relation to some thing or person that is superior, weighs upon, oppresses, bows down, governs, directs, influences powerfully, or the like, in a relation of subjection, subordination, obligation, liability, or the like; as, to travel under a heavy load; to live under extreme oppression; to have fortitude under the evils of life; to have patience under pain, or under misfortunes; to behave like a Christian under reproaches and injuries; under the pains and penalties of the law; the condition under which one enters upon an office; under the necessity of obeying the laws; under vows of chastity. Both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin. --Rom. iii. 9. That led the embattled seraphim to war Under thy conduct. --Milton. Who have their provand Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows For sinking under them. --Shak. (b) Denoting relation to something that exceeds in rank or degree, in number, size, weight, age, or the like; in a relation of the less to the greater, of inferiority, or of falling short. Three sons he dying left under age. --Spenser. Medicines take effect sometimes under, and sometimes above, the natural proportion of their virtue. --Hooker. There are several hundred parishes in England under twenty pounds a year. --Swift. It was too great an honor for any man under a duke. --Addison. Note: Hence, it sometimes means at, with, or for, less than; as, he would not sell the horse under sixty dollars. Several young men could never leave the pulpit under half a dozen conceits. --Swift. (c) Denoting relation to something that comprehends or includes, that represents or designates, that furnishes a cover, pretext, pretense, or the like; as, he betrayed him under the guise of friendship; Morpheus is represented under the figure of a boy asleep. A crew who, under names of old renown . . . abused Fanatic Egypt. --Milton. Mr. Duke may be mentioned under the double capacity of a poet and a divine. --Felton. Under this head may come in the several contests and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes. --C. Leslie. (d) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a bill under discussion. Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change. --Milton. Under arms. (Mil.) (a) Drawn up fully armed and equipped. (b) Enrolled for military service; as, the state has a million men under arms. Under canvas. (a) (Naut.) Moved or propelled by sails; -- said of any vessel with her sail set, but especially of a steamer using her sails only, as distinguished from one under steam. Under steam and canvas signifies that a vessel is using both means of propulsion. (b) (Mil.) Provided with, or sheltered in, tents. Under fire, exposed to an enemy's fire; taking part in a battle or general engagement. Under foot. See under Foot, n. Under ground, below the surface of the ground. Under one's signature, with one's signature or name subscribed; attested or confirmed by one's signature. Cf. the second Note under Over, prep. Under sail. (Naut.) (a) With anchor up, and under the influence of sails; moved by sails; in motion. (b) With sails set, though the anchor is down. (c) Same as Under canvas (a), above. --Totten. Under sentence, having had one's sentence pronounced. Under the breath, with low voice; very softly. Under the lee (Naut.), to the leeward; as, under the lee of the land. Under the rose. See under Rose, n. Under water, below the surface of the water. Under way, or Under weigh (Naut.), in a condition to make progress; having started.
Vamp\, n. [OE. vampe, vaumpe, vauntpe, F. avantpied the forefoot, vamp; anat before, fore + pied foot, L. pes. See Advance, Van of an army, and Foot.]1. The part of a boot or shoe above the sole and welt, and in front of the ankle seam; an upper. 2. Any piece added to an old thing to give it a new appearance. See Vamp, v. t.
Ve*loc"i*pede\, n. [L. velox, -ocis, swift + pes, pedis, a foot. See Velocity, and Foot.] A light road carriage propelled by the feet of the rider. Originally it was propelled by striking the tips of the toes on the roadway, but commonly now by the action of the feet on a pedal or pedals connected with the axle of one or more of the wheels, and causing their revolution. They are made in many forms, with two, three, or four wheels. See Bicycle, and Tricycle.
Verse\, n. [OE. vers, AS. fers, L. versus a line in writing, and, in poetry, a verse, from vertere, versum, to turn, to turn round; akin to E. worth to become: cf. F. vers. See Worth to become, and cf. Advertise, Averse, Controversy, Convert, Divers, Invert, Obverse, Prose, Suzerain, Vortex.]1. A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet (see Foot, n., 9) disposed according to metrical rules. Note: Verses are of various kinds, as hexameter, pentameter, tetrameter, etc., according to the number of feet in each. A verse of twelve syllables is called an Alexandrine. Two or more verses form a stanza or strophe. 2. Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed in metrical form; versification; poetry. Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips in prose or numerous verse. --Milton. Virtue was taught in verse. --Prior. Verse embalms virtu
![[P]](http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium_mh.gif){kind=small}
Audio Help [foo
t) Pronunciation Key
t)
t)