wɔ:k v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a (of a
person or
other biped)
progress by lifting
and setting down
each foot in
turn,
never having
both feet off the ground at
once. b progress
with similar movements (walked on
his hands). c go with the
gait usual except when speed is desired. d (of a quadruped) go with the slowest gait,
always having at
least two feet on the ground at once. 2 intr. a
travel or go on foot. b
take exercise in
this way (walks
for two hours each day). 3 tr.
perambulate,
traverse on foot at
walking speed,
tread the
floor or
surface of. 4 tr. a
cause to walk with
one. b
accompany in walking. c
ride or lead (a
horse,
dog, etc.) at walking pace. d take
charge of (a puppy) at walk (see
sense 4 of n.). 5 intr. (of a ghost)
appear. 6 intr. Cricket leave the
wicket on
being out. 7
Baseball a intr.
reach first base on balls. b tr.
allow to do this. 8 intr.
archaic live in a specified
manner,
conduct oneself (walk humbly; walk with God). 9 intr. US sl. be released
from suspicion or from a charge. --n. 1 a an
act of walking, the
ordinary human gait (go at a walk). b the slowest gait of an
animal. c a person's manner of walking (know
him by his walk). 2 a
taking a (usu. specified)
time to walk a
distance (is
only ten minutes' walk from
here; it's
quite a walk to the bus-stop). b an
excursion on foot, a
stroll or
constitutional (go for a walk). c a
journey on foot completed to
earn money promised for a
charity etc. 3 a a
place, track, or
route intended or
suitable for walking; a
promenade,
colonnade, or
footpath. b a person's
favourite place or route for walking. c the
round of a
postman, hawker, etc. 4 a
farm etc.
where a hound-puppy is
sent to
accustom it to
various surroundings. 5 the place where a
gamecock is
kept. 6 a
part of a
forest under one
keeper. øin a walk
without effort (won in a walk). walk
about stroll. walk
all over colloq. 1
defeat easily. 2 take
advantage of. walk
away from 1 easily
outdistance. 2 refuse to
become involved with;
fail to deal with. 3
survive (an
accident etc.) without
serious injury. walk away with colloq. = walk off with. walk the boards be an
actor. walk the hospitals = walk the wards. walk in (often foll. by on)
enter or
arrive,
esp. unexpectedly or easily. walk
into 1 colloq.
encounter through unwariness (walked into the trap). 2 sl. archaic
attack forcefully. 3 sl. archaic
eat heartily. walk it 1
make a journey on foot,
not ride. 2 colloq.
achieve something (esp. a victory) easily. walk
Matilda see MATILDA. walk off 1
depart (esp. abruptly). 2
get rid of the effects of (a meal,
ailment, etc.) by walking (walked off his anger). walk a person off his or
her feet (or legs)
exhaust a person with walking. walk off with colloq. 1
steal. 2
win easily. walk of
life an
occupation,
profession, or
calling. walk-on 1 (in full walk-on part) = walking-on part. 2 the
player of this. walk on
air see AIR. walk out 1 depart suddenly or angrily. 2 (usu. foll. by with)
Brit. archaic go for walks in
courtship. walk-out n. a
sudden angry departure, esp. as a
protest or
strike. walk out on desert,
abandon. walk over 1 colloq. = walk all over. 2 (often absol.) traverse (a racecourse) without needing to
hurry,
because one
has no opponents or only
inferior ones. walk-over n. an
easy victory or
achievement. walk the
plank see PLANK. walk the streets 1 be a
prostitute. 2 traverse the streets esp. in
search of
work etc. walk
tall colloq.
feel justifiable pride. walk up! a showman's
invitation to a
circus etc. walk-up US adj. (of a building) allowing
access to the upper floors only by stairs. --n. a walk-up
building. walk up to
approach (a person) for a
talk etc. walk the wards be a
medical student. øøwalkable adj. [OE wealcan
roll,
toss,
wander, f. Gmc]