foot

Main Entry:: ¹foot
Pronunciation:: \ˈfu̇t\
Function:: noun
Inflected Form(s):: plural feet \ˈfēt\ also foot
Etymology:: Middle English fot, from Old English fōt; akin to Old High German fuot foot, Latin ped-, pes, Greek pod-, pous
Date:: before 12th century

1: the terminal part of the vertebrate leg upon which an individual stands2: an invertebrate organ of locomotion or attachment ; especially : a ventral muscular surface or process of a mollusk3: any of various units of length based on the length of the human foot ; especially : a unit equal to ¹⁄₃ yard and comprising 12 inches —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> — see weight table4: the basic unit of verse meter consisting of any of various fixed combinations or groups of stressed and unstressed or long and short syllables5 a: motion or power of walking or running : step <fleet of foot> b: speed , swiftness <showed early foot>6: something resembling a foot in position or use: as a: the lower end of the leg of a chair or table b (1): the basal portion of the sporophyte in mosses (2): a specialized outgrowth by which the embryonic sporophyte especially of many bryophytes absorbs nourishment from the gametophyte c: a piece on a sewing machine that presses the cloth against the feed 7foot plural chiefly British : infantry8: the lower edge (as of a sail)9: the lowest part : bottom <the foot of the hill>10 a: the end that is lower or opposite the head <the foot of the bed> b: the part (as of a stocking) that covers the foot11foots plural but sing or plural in constr : material deposited especially in aging or refining : dregs12foots plural : footlights

— at one's feet

: under one's spell or influence

— foot in the door

: the initial step toward a goal

— off one's feet

: in a sitting or lying position

— on foot

: by walking or running <tour the campus on foot>

— on one's feet

1: in a standing position2: in an established position or state3: in a recovered condition (as from illness) <back on my feet>4: in an extemporaneous manner : while in action <good debaters can think on their feet>

— to one's feet

: to a standing position <brought the crowd to its feet>

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