Tiptoe
['tɪptəʊ] or ['tɪpto]
Definition
(noun.) the tip of a toe.
(verb.) walk on one's toes.
(adj.) walking on the tips of ones's toes so as to make no noise; 'moving with tiptoe steps' .
(adv.) on tiptoe or as if on tiptoe; 'standing tiptoe'.
Checked by Lionel--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The end, or tip, of the toe.
(a.) Being on tiptoe, or as on tiptoe; hence, raised as high as possible; lifted up; exalted; also, alert.
(a.) Noiseless; stealthy.
(v. i.) To step or walk on tiptoe.
Typed by Angelo
Definition
n. the end of the toe.—adv. on tiptoe literally or figuratively through excitement expectation &c.—v.i. to walk on tiptoe to go lightly and slyly.
Checked by Gerald
Examples
- Holmes entered on tiptoe, waited for me to follow, and then very gently closed the door. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Pet had a twin sister who died when we could just see her eyes--exactly like Pet's--above the table, as she stood on tiptoe holding by it. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- She had pulled his tall head down, and stood upon tiptoe, and implored him not to be shocked, before she had ventured to ask this question. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- He walked on tiptoe to the door, and gave a gentle tap. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I took care to be up early in the morning and to be before the glass when Charley came in on tiptoe. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- She then went away, walking on tiptoe out of the room, as if she supposed her young friend's affliction could be increased by noise. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- Dixon opened the door very softly, and stole on tiptoe up to Margaret, sitting by the shaded window. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- They tiptoed out. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
Edited by Benson