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Entry 18 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Foot

/(fo͝ot)/ · IPA /[fʊt̚]/
01 n. 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 …
pl. Feet ((fēt))
  1. 1.
    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.(Anat.) See: Manus, Pes
  2. 2.
    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.(Zool.) See: Buccinum
  3. 3.
    That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as, the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking.
  4. 4.
    The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as of a mountain, column, or page; 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; ; the foot of the page.
    “And now at foot Of heaven's ascent they lift their feet.” — Milton.
  5. 5.
    Fundamental principle; basis; plan; -- used only in the singular.
    “Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason.” — Berkeley.
  6. 6.
    Recognized condition; rank; footing; -- used only in the singular.[R.]
    “As to his being on the foot of a servant.” — Walpole.
  7. 7.
    A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third of a yard. See Yard. It is sometimes denoted by a prime (′); as, 6′ 3″ denoting 6 feet 3 inches. See: Yard
  8. 8.
    Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry, usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the cavalry.(Mil.)
  9. 9.
    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.(Pros.)
  10. 10.
    The lower edge of a sail.(Naut.)
Phrases & compounds
Foot artillery — Artillery soldiers serving in foot.
Foot bank — a raised way within a parapet.
Foot barracks — barracks for infantery.
Foot bellows — a bellows worked by a treadle.
Foot company — a company of infantry.
Foot gear — covering for the feet, as stocking, shoes, or boots.
Foot hammer — a small tilt hammer moved by a treadle.
Foot iron — The step of a carriage.
Foot jaw — See Maxilliped.
Foot key — an organ pedal.
Foot level — a form of level used in giving any proposed angle of elevation to a piece of ordnance.
Foot mantle — a long garment to protect the dress in riding; a riding skirt.
Foot page — an errand boy; an attendant.
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.
Foot post — A letter carrier who travels on foot.
Foot pound — See Foot pound and Foot poundal, in the Vocabulary.
Foot press — a cutting, embossing, or printing press, moved by a treadle.
Foot race — a race run by persons on foot.
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 — See Sclerobase.
Foot soldier — a soldier who serves on foot.
Foot stick — 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 — See Parapodium.
Foot valve — 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 — the inside planks or lining of a vessel over the floor timbers.
Foot wall — the under wall of an inclosed vein.
By foot — by walking; as, to pass a stream on foot.
Cubic foot — See under Cubic.
Foot and mouth disease — a contagious disease (Eczema epizoötica) of cattle, sheep, swine, etc., characterized by the formation of vesicles and ulcers in the mouth and about the hoofs.
Foot of the fine — 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 — to preserve decorum.
To put one's foot down — to take a resolute stand; to be determined.
To put the best foot foremost — to make a good appearance; to do one's best.
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 — Under the feet; (Fig.) at one's mercy; as, to trample under foot.
02 v. i. To tread to measure or music; to dance; to trip; to skip.
imp. & p. p. Footed; p. pr. & vb. n. Footing
  1. 1.
    To tread to measure or music; to dance; to trip; to skip.
  2. 2.
    To walk; -- opposed to ride or fly.
03 v. t. To kick with the foot; to spurn.
  1. 1.
    To kick with the foot; to spurn.
  2. 2.
    To set on foot; to establish; to land.[Obs.]
    “What confederacy have you with the traitors Late footed in the kingdom?” — Shak.
  3. 3.
    To tread; as, to foot the green.
  4. 4.
    To sum up, as the numbers in a column; -- sometimes with up; as, to foot (or foot up) an account.
  5. 5.
    To seize or strike with the talon.[Poet.]
  6. 6.
    To renew the foot of, as of a stocking.
    “If you are for a merry jaunt, I'll try, for once, who can foot it farthest.” — Dryden.
Phrases & compounds
To foot a bill — to pay it.
To foot it — to walk; also, to dance.