foot waling

Foot \Foot\ (f[oo^]t), n.; pl. {Feet} (f[=e]t). [OE. fot, foot,
   pl. fet, feet. AS. f[=o]t, pl. f[=e]t; akin to D. voet, OHG.
   fuoz, G. fuss, Icel. f[=o]tr, Sw. fot, Dan. fod, Goth.
   f[=o]tus, L. pes, Gr. poy`s, Skr. p[=a]d, Icel. fet step,
   pace measure of a foot, feta to step, find one's way.
   [root]77, 250. Cf. {Antipodes}, {Cap-a-pie}, {Expedient},
   {Fet} to fetch, {Fetlock}, {Fetter}, {Pawn} a piece in chess,
   {Pedal}.]
   1. (Anat.) 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}.
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   2. (Zool.) 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}.
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   3. That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as,
      the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking.
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   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.
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            And now at foot
            Of heaven's ascent they lift their feet. --Milton.
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   5. Fundamental principle; basis; plan; -- used only in the
      singular.
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            Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason.
                                                  --Berkeley.
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   6. Recognized condition; rank; footing; -- used only in the
      singular. [R.]
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            As to his being on the foot of a servant. --Walpole.
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   7. A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third
      of a yard. See {Yard}.
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   Note: This measure is supposed to be taken from the length of
         a man's foot. It differs in length in different
         countries. In the United States and in England it is
         304.8 millimeters.
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   8. (Mil.) Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry,
      usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the
      cavalry. "Both horse and foot." --Milton.
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   9. (Pros.) 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.
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   10. (Naut.) The lower edge of a sail.
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   Note: Foot is often used adjectively, signifying of or
         pertaining to a foot or the feet, or to the base or
         lower part. It is also much used as the first of
         compounds.
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   {Foot artillery}. (Mil.)
       (a) Artillery soldiers serving in foot.
       (b) Heavy artillery. --Farrow.

   {Foot bank} (Fort.), a raised way within a parapet.

   {Foot barracks} (Mil.), barracks for infantery.

   {Foot bellows}, a bellows worked by a treadle. --Knight.

   {Foot company} (Mil.), a company of infantry. --Milton.

   {Foot gear}, covering for the feet, as stocking, shoes, or
      boots.

   {Foot hammer} (Mach.), a small tilt hammer moved by a
      treadle.

   {Foot iron}.
       (a) The step of a carriage.
       (b) A fetter.

   {Foot jaw}. (Zool.) See {Maxilliped}.

   {Foot key} (Mus.), an organ pedal.

   {Foot level} (Gunnery), a form of level used in giving any
      proposed angle of elevation to a piece of ordnance.
      --Farrow.

   {Foot mantle}, a long garment to protect the dress in riding;
      a riding skirt. [Obs.]

   {Foot page}, an errand boy; an attendant. [Obs.]

   {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. [R.] --Dryden.

   {Foot post}.
       (a) A letter carrier who travels on foot.
       (b) A mail delivery by means of such carriers.

   {Fot pound}, & {Foot poundal}. (Mech.) See {Foot pound} and
      {Foot poundal}, in the Vocabulary.

   {Foot press} (Mach.), a cutting, embossing, or printing
      press, moved by a treadle.

   {Foot race}, a race run by persons on foot. --Cowper.

   {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}. (Zool.) See {Sclerobase}.

   {Foot soldier}, a soldier who serves on foot.

   {Foot stick} (Printing), 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}. (Zool.) See {Parapodium}.

   {Foot valve} (Steam Engine), 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} (Naut.), the inside planks or lining of a
      vessel over the floor timbers. --Totten.

   {Foot wall} (Mining), the under wall of an inclosed vein.
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   {By foot}, or {On foot}, by walking; as, to pass a stream on
      foot.

   {Cubic foot}. See under {Cubic}.

   {Foot and mouth disease}, a contagious disease (Eczema
      epizo["o]tica) of cattle, sheep, swine, etc.,
      characterized by the formation of vesicles and ulcers in
      the mouth and about the hoofs.

   {Foot of the fine} (Law), 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} (Script.), to preserve decorum. "Keep thy
      foot when thou goest to the house of God." --Eccl. v. 1.

   {To put one's foot down}, to take a resolute stand; to be
      determined. [Colloq.]

   {To put the best foot foremost}, to make a good appearance;
      to do one's best. [Colloq.]

   {To set on foot}, to put in motion; to originate; as, to set
      on foot a subscription.

   {To} {put one on his feet}, or {set one on his feet}, to put
      one in a position to go on; to assist to start.

   {Under foot}.
       (a) Under the feet; (Fig.) at one's mercy; as, to trample
           under foot. --Gibbon.
       (b) Below par. [Obs.] "They would be forced to sell . . .
           far under foot." --Bacon.
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