tiptoe

tiptoe
/tip"toh'/, n., v., tiptoed, tiptoeing, adj., adv.
n.
1. the tip or end of a toe.
2. on tiptoe,
a. on the tips of one's toes.
b. expectant; eager: With Christmas coming, the children were on tiptoe.
c. stealthily; cautiously: The concert had already begun, so he entered the back of the hall on tiptoe.
v.i.
3. to move or go on tiptoe, as with caution or stealth: She tiptoed out of the room.
adj.
4. characterized by standing or walking on tiptoe.
5. straining upward.
6. eagerly expectant.
7. cautious; stealthy.
adv.
8. eagerly or cautiously; on tiptoe.
[1350-1400; ME tiptoon (pl. n.). See TIP1, TOE]

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tiptoe — Tip toe , a. 1. Being on tiptoe, or as on tiptoe; hence, raised as high as possible; lifted up; exalted; also, alert. [1913 Webster] Night s candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. Shak. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tiptoe — Tip toe , n.; pl. {Tiptoes}. The end, or tip, of the toe. [1913 Webster] He must . . . stand on his typtoon [tiptoes]. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] Upon his tiptoes stalketh stately by. Spenser. [1913 Webster] {To be a tiptoe}, {To stand a tiptoe},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tiptoe — [tip′tō΄] n. the tip of a toe or the tips of the toes: usually used with reference to a foot position with the heels raised and the body s weight resting on the toes and the balls of the feet vi. tiptoed, tiptoeing to walk stealthily or… …   English World dictionary

  • Tiptoe — Tip toe , v. i. To step or walk on tiptoe. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tiptoe — The verb has inflected forms tiptoes, tiptoed, tiptoeing. The noun is confined to the expression on tiptoe(s), where it can be singular or plural …   Modern English usage

  • tiptoe — ► VERB (tiptoes, tiptoed, tiptoeing) ▪ walk quietly and carefully with one s heels raised and one s weight on the balls of the feet. ● on tiptoe (or tiptoes) Cf. ↑on tiptoes …   English terms dictionary

  • tiptoe — (n.) mid 15c., from TIP (Cf. tip) (n.) + TOE (Cf. toe). As a verb from 1630s. Related: Tiptoes (late 14c.) …   Etymology dictionary

  • tiptoe — tip|toe1 [ tıp,tou ] noun on tiptoe(s) if you stand or walk on tiptoe, you stand or walk on your toes: If he stood on tiptoe, he could reach the shelf. tiptoe tip|toe 2 [ tıp,tou ] verb intransitive to walk on your toes: We tiptoed down the… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • tiptoe — tip|toe1 [ˈtıptəu US tou] n on tiptoe/on (your) tiptoes if you stand or walk on tiptoe, you stand or walk on your toes, in order to make yourself taller or in order to walk very quietly ▪ She stood on tiptoe to kiss him. tiptoe 2 tiptoe2 past… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • tiptoe — I. noun Date: 14th century the position of being balanced on the balls of the feet and toes with the heels raised usually used with on; also the ends of the toes II. adverb Date: 1592 on or as if on tiptoe III. adjective Date: 1593 …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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