noun / verb
hoof
HOOF/huːf/
The hard protective foot of a hoofed animal.
The horse's hoof has a hard, curved covering beneath the hair of its lower leg.
Etymology
Old English hof already meant an animal's hoof, preserving the same concrete sense in the modern word. Related German Huf and Dutch hoef also name the same body part.
In context
a farrier is a special name for a man who shoes horses the horse's hoof is hard on the outside and the horseshoe is very hot
More examples
- The pony's hooves need regular trimming.
- A small stone is wedged in the horse's hoof.
- We miss the bus and have to hoof it home.
- The tap dancers hoof it across the stage.
Forms
hoof · hooves · hoofs · hoofed · hoofing
hoofer noun — A dancer, especially a tap dancer.
Similar words
- foot
- Names the whole supporting part, not specifically its hard covering.