To put the best foot foremost

Foot Foot (f[oo^]t), n.; pl. {Feet} (f[=e]t). [OE. fot, foot, pl. fet, feet. AS. f[=o]t, pl. f[=e]t; akin to D. voet, OHG. fuoz, G. fuss, Icel. f[=o]tr, Sw. fot, Dan. fod, Goth. f[=o]tus, L. pes, Gr. poy`s, Skr. p[=a]d, Icel. fet step, pace measure of a foot, feta to step, find one's way. [root]77, 250. Cf. {Antipodes}, {Cap-a-pie}, {Expedient}, {Fet} to fetch, {Fetlock}, {Fetter}, {Pawn} a piece in chess, {Pedal}.] 1. (Anat.) The terminal part of the leg of man or an animal; esp., the part below the ankle or wrist; that part of an animal upon which it rests when standing, or moves. See {Manus}, and {Pes}. [1913 Webster]

2. (Zo["o]l.) The muscular locomotive organ of a mollusk. It is a median organ arising from the ventral region of body, often in the form of a flat disk, as in snails. See Illust. of {Buccinum}. [1913 Webster]

3. That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as, the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking. [1913 Webster]

4. The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as of a mountain, column, or page; also, the last of a row or series; the end or extremity, esp. if associated with inferiority; as, the foot of a hill; the foot of the procession; the foot of a class; the foot of the bed;; the foot of the page. [1913 Webster]

And now at foot Of heaven's ascent they lift their feet. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

5. Fundamental principle; basis; plan; -- used only in the singular. [1913 Webster]

Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason. --Berkeley. [1913 Webster]

6. Recognized condition; rank; footing; -- used only in the singular. [R.] [1913 Webster]

As to his being on the foot of a servant. --Walpole. [1913 Webster]

7. A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third of a yard. See {Yard}. [1913 Webster]

Note: This measure is supposed to be taken from the length of a man's foot. It differs in length in different countries. In the United States and in England it is 304.8 millimeters. [1913 Webster]

8. (Mil.) Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry, usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the cavalry. ``Both horse and foot.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

9. (Pros.) A combination of syllables consisting a metrical element of a verse, the syllables being formerly distinguished by their quantity or length, but in modern poetry by the accent. [1913 Webster]

10. (Naut.) The lower edge of a sail. [1913 Webster]

Note: Foot is often used adjectively, signifying of or pertaining to a foot or the feet, or to the base or lower part. It is also much used as the first of compounds. [1913 Webster]

{Foot artillery}. (Mil.) (a) Artillery soldiers serving in foot. (b) Heavy artillery. --Farrow.

{Foot bank} (Fort.), a raised way within a parapet.

{Foot barracks} (Mil.), barracks for infantery.

{Foot bellows}, a bellows worked by a treadle. --Knight.

{Foot company} (Mil.), a company of infantry. --Milton.

{Foot gear}, covering for the feet, as stocking, shoes, or boots.

{Foot hammer} (Mach.), a small tilt hammer moved by a treadle.

{Foot iron}. (a) The step of a carriage. (b) A fetter.

{Foot jaw}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Maxilliped}.

{Foot key} (Mus.), an organ pedal.

{Foot level} (Gunnery), a form of level used in giving any proposed angle of elevation to a piece of ordnance. --Farrow.

{Foot mantle}, a long garment to protect the dress in riding; a riding skirt. [Obs.]

{Foot page}, an errand boy; an attendant. [Obs.]

{Foot passenger}, one who passes on foot, as over a road or bridge.

{Foot pavement}, a paved way for foot passengers; a footway; a trottoir.

{Foot poet}, an inferior poet; a poetaster. [R.] --Dryden.

{Foot post}. (a) A letter carrier who travels on foot. (b) A mail delivery by means of such carriers.

{Fot pound}, & {Foot poundal}. (Mech.) See {Foot pound} and {Foot poundal}, in the Vocabulary.

{Foot press} (Mach.), a cutting, embossing, or printing press, moved by a treadle.

{Foot race}, a race run by persons on foot. --Cowper.

{Foot rail}, a railroad rail, with a wide flat flange on the lower side.

{Foot rot}, an ulcer in the feet of sheep; claw sickness.

{Foot rule}, a rule or measure twelve inches long.

{Foot screw}, an adjusting screw which forms a foot, and serves to give a machine or table a level standing on an uneven place.

{Foot secretion}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Sclerobase}.

{Foot soldier}, a soldier who serves on foot.

{Foot stick} (Printing), a beveled piece of furniture placed against the foot of the page, to hold the type in place.

{Foot stove}, a small box, with an iron pan, to hold hot coals for warming the feet.

{Foot tubercle}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Parapodium}.

{Foot valve} (Steam Engine), the valve that opens to the air pump from the condenser.

{Foot vise}, a kind of vise the jaws of which are operated by a treadle.

{Foot waling} (Naut.), the inside planks or lining of a vessel over the floor timbers. --Totten.

{Foot wall} (Mining), the under wall of an inclosed vein. [1913 Webster]

{By foot}, or {On foot}, by walking; as, to pass a stream on foot.

{Cubic foot}. See under {Cubic}.

{Foot and mouth disease}, a contagious disease (Eczema epizo["o]tica) of cattle, sheep, swine, etc., characterized by the formation of vesicles and ulcers in the mouth and about the hoofs.

{Foot of the fine} (Law), the concluding portion of an acknowledgment in court by which, formerly, the title of land was conveyed. See {Fine of land}, under {Fine}, n.; also {Chirograph}. (b).

{Square foot}. See under {Square}.

{To be on foot}, to be in motion, action, or process of execution.

{To keep the foot} (Script.), to preserve decorum. ``Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God.'' --Eccl. v. 1.

{To put one's foot down}, to take a resolute stand; to be determined. [Colloq.]

{To put the best foot foremost}, to make a good appearance; to do one's best. [Colloq.]

{To set on foot}, to put in motion; to originate; as, to set on foot a subscription.

{To} {put one on his feet}, or {set one on his feet}, to put one in a position to go on; to assist to start.

{Under foot}. (a) Under the feet; (Fig.) at one's mercy; as, to trample under foot. --Gibbon. (b) Below par. [Obs.] ``They would be forced to sell . . . far under foot.'' --Bacon. [1913 Webster]