[toh] 
,noun, verb, toed, toe⋅ing.| 1. | one of the terminal digits of the human foot. |
| 2. | an analogous part in certain animals. |
| 3. | the forepart of the foot or hoof of a horse or the like. |
| 4. | the forepart of anything worn on the foot, as of a shoe or stocking. |
| 5. | a part resembling a toe in shape or position. |
| 6. | Railroads. the end of a frog in front of the point and in the direction of the switch. |
| 7. | Machinery.
|
| 8. | Golf. the outer end of the head of a club. |
| 9. | to furnish with a toe or toes. |
| 10. | to touch or reach with the toes: The pitcher toed the mound, wound up, and threw a fastball. |
| 11. | to kick with the toe. |
| 12. | Golf. to strike (the ball) with the toe of the club. |
| 13. | Carpentry.
|
| 14. | to stand, walk, etc., with the toes in a specified position: to toe in. |
| 15. | to tap with the toe, as in dancing. |
| 16. | on one's toes, energetic; alert; ready: The spirited competition kept them on their toes. |
| 17. | step or tread on (someone's) toes, to offend (a person); encroach on the territory or sphere of responsibility of (another): The new employee stepped on a lot of toes when he suggested reorganizing the office. |
| 18. | toe the line. line 1 (def. 82). |
"The chief mate ... marked a line on the deck, brought the two boys up to it, making them 'toe the mark.' " [R.H. Dana, "Two Years Before the Mast," 1840]Toenail is from 1841. To be on (one's) toes "alert, eager" is recorded from 1921.
toe (tō)
n.
Any of the digits of a foot.