tread

[[t]trɛd[/t]]

v. trod, trod•den trod, tread•ing,

1) to set down the foot or feet in walking; step; walk

2) to step or walk, esp. so as to press, crush, or injure something; trample (usu. fol. by on or upon)

3) orn (of a male bird) to copulate

4) to step or walk on, about, in, or along

5) to trample or crush underfoot

6) to form by the action of walking or trampling:

to tread a path[/ex]

7) to treat with disdainful harshness or cruelty; crush; oppress

8) to perform by walking or dancing:

to tread a measure[/ex]

9) orn (of a male bird) to copulate with (a female bird)

10) the action of treading

11) the sound of footsteps

12) manner of treading or walking

13) a single step

14) any of various things or parts on which a person or thing treads, stands, or moves

15) the horizontal upper surface of a step in a stair

16) aum trs the part of a wheel, tire, or runner that bears on the road, rail, etc

17) aum trs the pattern raised on or cut into the face of a rubber tire

18) rai the part of a rail in contact with the treads of wheels

19) the part of the undersurface of the foot or of a shoe that touches the ground

•

- tread on someone's toes tread water

Etymology: bef. 900; ME treden (v.), OE tredan, c. OHG tretan; akin to ON trotha, Go trudan tread′er, n.