Dictionary-Definition.com :: Tread definition

Definition of 'tread'

noun

A step in walking or running [syn: pace, stride, tread]

noun

The grooved surface of a pneumatic tire

noun

The part (as of a wheel or shoe) that makes contact with the ground

noun

Structural member consisting of the horizontal part of a stair or step

verb

Put down or press the foot, place the foot; "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread"; "step on the brake" [syn: step, tread]

verb

Tread or stomp heavily or roughly; "The soldiers trampled across the fields" [syn: tread, trample]

verb

Crush as if by treading on; "tread grapes to make wine"

verb

Brace (an archer's bow) by pressing the foot against the center

verb

Apply (the tread) to a tire

verb

Mate with; "male birds tread the females"

From: GCIDE

Tread \Tread\, v. t.
1. To step or walk on. [1913 Webster]
Forbid to tread the promised land he saw. --Prior. [1913 Webster]
Methought she trod the ground with greater grace. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
2. To beat or press with the feet; as, to tread a path; to tread land when too light; a well-trodden path. [1913 Webster]
3. To go through or accomplish by walking, dancing, or the like. " I am resolved to forsake Malta, tread a pilgrimage to fair Jerusalem." --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
They have measured many a mile, To tread a measure with you on this grass. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. To crush under the foot; to trample in contempt or hatred; to subdue. [1913 Webster]
Through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. --Ps. xliv. 5. [1913 Webster]
5. To copulate with; to feather; to cover; -- said of the male bird. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
To tread out, to press out with the feet; to press out, as wine or wheat; as, to tread out grain with cattle or horses.
To tread the stage, to act as a stageplayer; to perform a part in a drama. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Tread \Tread\, v. i. [imp. Trod; p. p. Trodden, Trod; p. pr. & vb. n. Treading.] [OE. treden, AS. tredan; akin to OFries. treda, OS. tredan, D. & LG. treden, G. treten, OHG. tretan, Icel. tro?a, Sw. tr[*a]da, tr[aum]da, Dan. tr[ae]de, Goth. trudan, and perhaps ultimately to F. tramp; cf. Gr. ? a running, Skr. dram to run. Cf. Trade, Tramp, Trot.]
1. To set the foot; to step. [1913 Webster]
Where'er you tread, the blushing flowers shall rise. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
The hard stone Under our feet, on which we tread and go. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2. To walk or go; especially, to walk with a stately or a cautious step. [1913 Webster]
Ye that . . . stately tread, or lowly creep. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. To copulate; said of birds, esp. the males. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
To tread on or To tread upon. (a) To trample; to set the foot on in contempt. "Thou shalt tread upon their high places." --Deut. xxxiii. 29. (b) to follow closely. "Year treads on year." --Wordsworth.
To tread upon the heels of, to follow close upon. "Dreadful consequences that tread upon the heels of those allowances to sin." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
One woe doth tread upon another's heel. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Tread \Tread\, n.
1. A step or stepping; pressure with the foot; a footstep; as, a nimble tread; a cautious tread. [1913 Webster]
She is coming, my own, my sweet; Were it ever so airy a tread, My heart would hear her and beat. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
2. Manner or style of stepping; action; gait; as, the horse has a good tread. [1913 Webster]
3. Way; track; path. [R.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. The act of copulation in birds. [1913 Webster]
5. (Arch.) The upper horizontal part of a step, on which the foot is placed. [1913 Webster]
6. (Fort.) The top of the banquette, on which soldiers stand to fire over the parapet. [1913 Webster]
7. (Mach.) (a) The part of a wheel that bears upon the road or rail. (b) The part of a rail upon which car wheels bear. [1913 Webster]
8. (Biol.) The chalaza of a bird's egg; the treadle. [1913 Webster]
9. (Far.) A bruise or abrasion produced on the foot or ankle of a horse that interferes. See Interfere, 3. [1913 Webster]