tread

== English == === Alternative forms === treade (obsolete) === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /tɹɛd/ Rhymes: -ɛd === Etymology 1 === From Middle English treden, from Old English tredan, from Proto-West Germanic *tredan, from Proto-Germanic *trudaną. ==== Verb ==== tread (third-person singular simple present treads, present participle treading, simple past trod or tread or treaded, past participle trodden or trod or tread or treaded) (intransitive) To step or walk (on or across something); to trample. (transitive) To step or walk upon. (figuratively, with certain adverbs of manner) To proceed, to behave (in a certain manner). to tread lightly, to tread gently to tread carefully, to tread cautiously, to tread warily To beat or press with the feet. To work a lever, treadle, etc., with the foot or the feet. To go through or accomplish by walking, dancing, etc. To crush under the foot; to trample in contempt or hatred; to subdue; to repress. Synonym: step on (intransitive) To copulate; said of (especially male) birds. (transitive, of a male bird) To copulate with (a hen). (transitive) To crush grapes with one's feet to make wine Synonym: stomp ===== Usage notes ===== Treaded is not commonly used in the UK and is less common in the US as well. It is apparently used more often in tread water. Tread is sometimes used as a past and past participle, especially in the US. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Related terms ===== trade ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === From Middle English tred, from treden (“to tread”). ==== Noun ==== tread (plural treads) A step taken with the foot. A manner of stepping. The sound made when someone or something is walking. (obsolete) A way; a track or path. (construction) A walking surface in a stairway on which the foot is placed. The grooves carved into the face of a tire, used to give the tire traction. [from 1900s] The grooves on the bottom of a shoe or other footwear, used to give grip or traction. (biology) The chalaza of a bird's egg; the treadle. The act of avian copulation in which the male bird mounts the female by standing on her back. (fortification) The top of the banquette, on which soldiers stand to fire over the parapet. A bruise or abrasion produced on the foot or ankle of a horse that interferes, or strikes its feet together. ===== Synonyms ===== (horizontal part of a step): run ===== Antonyms ===== (antonym(s) of “horizontal part of a step”): rise, riser ===== Derived terms ===== retread (Etymology 1) ===== Translations ===== === Further reading === tread on Wikipedia.Wikipedia “tread”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. === Anagrams === E-tard, adret, dater, derat, drate, rated, tared, trade