Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Foot?

\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. {To} {put, 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.