Main Entry:

¹tread

Pronunciation:

\ˈtred\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

trod \ˈträd\ also tread·ed; trod·den \ˈträ-d^ən\ or trod; tread·ing

Etymology:

Middle English treden, from Old English tredan; akin to Old High German tretan to tread

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1 a: to step or walk on or over b: to walk or proceed along : follow <treading a fine line between tradition and innovation>2 a: to beat or press with the feet : trample b: to subdue or repress as if by trampling : crush3: to copulate with —used of a male bird4 a: to form by treading : beat <tread a path> b: to execute by stepping or dancing <tread a measure>intransitive verb1: to move or proceed on or as if on foot <must tread lightly>2 a: to set foot <has gone where others fear to tread> b: to put one's foot : step <carelessly treading on the flowers>3: copulate

— tread·er noun

— tread on one's toes

: to give offense (as by encroaching on one's rights or feelings)

— tread water

: to keep the body nearly upright in the water and the head above water by a treading motion of the feet usually aided by the hands