He must . . . stand on his typtoon [tiptoes].
--Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
Upon his tiptoes stalketh stately by. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
{To be a tiptoe}, {To stand a tiptoe}, {To stand on tiptoe} or {To be on tiptoe}, to be awake or alive to anything; to be roused; to be eager or alert; as, to be a tiptoe with expectation. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Tiptoe — Tip toe , a. 1. Being on tiptoe, or as on tiptoe; hence, raised as high as possible; lifted up; exalted; also, alert. [1913 Webster] Night s candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. Shak. [1913 Webster]… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
tiptoe — [tip′tō΄] n. the tip of a toe or the tips of the toes: usually used with reference to a foot position with the heels raised and the body s weight resting on the toes and the balls of the feet vi. tiptoed, tiptoeing to walk stealthily or… … English World dictionary
Tiptoe — Tip toe , v. i. To step or walk on tiptoe. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
tiptoe — The verb has inflected forms tiptoes, tiptoed, tiptoeing. The noun is confined to the expression on tiptoe(s), where it can be singular or plural … Modern English usage
tiptoe — ► VERB (tiptoes, tiptoed, tiptoeing) ▪ walk quietly and carefully with one s heels raised and one s weight on the balls of the feet. ● on tiptoe (or tiptoes) Cf. ↑on tiptoes … English terms dictionary
tiptoe — (n.) mid 15c., from TIP (Cf. tip) (n.) + TOE (Cf. toe). As a verb from 1630s. Related: Tiptoes (late 14c.) … Etymology dictionary
tiptoe — tip|toe1 [ tıp,tou ] noun on tiptoe(s) if you stand or walk on tiptoe, you stand or walk on your toes: If he stood on tiptoe, he could reach the shelf. tiptoe tip|toe 2 [ tıp,tou ] verb intransitive to walk on your toes: We tiptoed down the… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
tiptoe — /tip toh /, n., v., tiptoed, tiptoeing, adj., adv. n. 1. the tip or end of a toe. 2. on tiptoe, a. on the tips of one s toes. b. expectant; eager: With Christmas coming, the children were on tiptoe. c. stealthily; cautiously: The concert had… … Universalium
tiptoe — tip|toe1 [ˈtıptəu US tou] n on tiptoe/on (your) tiptoes if you stand or walk on tiptoe, you stand or walk on your toes, in order to make yourself taller or in order to walk very quietly ▪ She stood on tiptoe to kiss him. tiptoe 2 tiptoe2 past… … Dictionary of contemporary English
tiptoe — I. noun Date: 14th century the position of being balanced on the balls of the feet and toes with the heels raised usually used with on; also the ends of the toes II. adverb Date: 1592 on or as if on tiptoe III. adjective Date: 1593 … New Collegiate Dictionary
