toe English · revision 10237

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725|origins=gem-pro *taihwō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /təʊ/ ''(UK)''; /toʊ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English to, [[inh|ang|tā|t=toe]], plural tān,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) a contraction of *tāhe (Mercian tāhæ),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from Proto-Germanic *taihwō(n),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) source also of Old Norse tá, Middle Dutch tee (Dutch teen) and Old High German zēha (German [[m|de|Zehe]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) Its further origin is unknown,^(Hoad 1986) and Etymonline does not connect it with Latin digitus or Greek daktylos,^(Etymonline) although Merriam-Webster gives digitus as akin.^(MWU 2024) In early Germanic it may have applied to fingers as well.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Each of the digits of the human foot: about 725 in the OED;^(OED 1989) Word Origins notes that it is recorded as early as AD 700.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A toe of an animal or bird is from 1386,^(OED 1989) and the front of a horse's hoof from 1566.^(OED 1989) The verb, to provide with a toe, is from the early 17th century,^(SOED 2002)^(Hoad 1986) and to touch or reach with the toes from 1813, first in ''toe the mark'', which seems to be nautical;^(Etymonline) ''toe the line'' is by 1826,^(Etymonline) from racers placing their toes on the starting line, hence to accept the authority of a group.^(Cresswell 2021) In Australian and New Zealand slang ''toe'' is speed (1963).^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – a toe.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1386 – an animal's toe.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1566 – the front of a hoof.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1813 – toe the mark (verb).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1826 – toe the line.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Any of the digits at the end of the [[foot]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The part of a sock, shoe or boot that covers the toes.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The front part of the head of a golf club or hockey stick.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The lowest part of something, such as an embankment or dam.^(AHD)

+ # ''(Australia, slang)'' Speed.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To touch, kick or reach with the toe.^(AHD)

+ # To drive a nail at an angle, or fasten with nails so driven.^(AHD)

+ # To stand or move with the toes pointing in a particular direction: ''to toe in''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[toeless]]

+ * [[toelike]]

+ * [[hammertoe]]

+ * [[toecap]]

+ * [[toehold]]

+ * [[toepiece]]

+ * [[toeplate]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tiptoe]]

+ * [[toenail]]

+ * [[toerag]]

+ * [[digit]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}