toe
n. countablen. one of the five small parts at the end of your foot. You use them for balance when you walk or stand.
n. any of the five terminal digits of the human foot. Often used in idiomatic expressions to describe physical positioning or cautious behavior.
I accidentally stubbed my toe on the corner of the table.
She dipped her toe into the swimming pool to check if the water was warm enough.
The athlete suffered a fracture in his big toe, which significantly hindered his ability to maintain balance and generate power during the sprint.
From Middle English to, from Old English tā, (Mercian) tāhe, from Proto-West Germanic taihā, from Proto-Germanic taihwǭ, from tīhwaną (“to show, announce”), from Proto-Indo-European deyḱ- (“to show”). See also Dutch teen, German Zehe, Danish tå, Swedish tå; also Old English teōn (“to accuse”), German zeihen (“to accuse, blame”); also Hittite [script needed] (tekkuššāi), Latin dīcere (“to say”), digitus (“finger”), Ancient Greek δείκνυμι (deíknumi, “to point out, show”), Sanskrit दिदेष्टि (dídeṣṭi), दिशति (diśáti).
Commonly used in idioms such as 'on your toes' (alert) or 'toe the line' (follow rules).
he tow the linehe toes the lineLearners often confuse 'toe' with 'tow' in the idiom 'toe the line', which refers to placing one's foot on a starting line.