tred v. & n. --v. (trod;
trodden or trod) 1 intr. (often foll. by on) a set down one's
foot;
walk or
step (do
not tread on
the grass;
trod on a snail). b (of the foot) be set down. 2 tr. a walk
on. b (often foll. by down) press or
crush with the
feet. 3 tr.
perform (steps etc.) by
walking (trod a
few paces). 4 tr.
make (a
hole etc.) by treading. 5 intr. (foll. by on)
suppress;
subdue mercilessly. 6 tr. make a track with (dirt etc.)
from the feet. 7 tr. (often foll. by
in, into) press down
into the ground with the feet (trod
dirt into the carpet). 8 tr. (also absol.) (of a
male bird)
copulate with (a hen). --n. 1 a
manner or
sound of walking (recognized the
heavy tread). 2 (in full tread-board) the top
surface of a step or
stair. 3 the
thick moulded
part of a
vehicle tyre for gripping the road. 4 a the part of a
wheel that touches the ground or rail. b the part of a rail that the wheels
touch. 5 the part of the sole of a
shoe that rests on the ground. 6 (of a male bird)
copulation. øtread the boards (or stage) be an
actor;
appear on the
stage. tread on
air see AIR. tread on a person's toes
offend a
person or
encroach on a person's privileges etc. tread
out 1
stamp out (a
fire etc.). 2 press out (wine or grain) with the feet. tread
water maintain an
upright position in the water by
moving the feet with a walking
movement and the hands with a
downward circular motion. tread-wheel a
treadmill or
similar appliance. øøtreader n. [OE tredan f. WG]