Tread

v. i. [imp. TROD; p. p. TROD, TRODDEN; p. pr. & vb. n. TREADING.] [A-S. & O. Sax. tredan, O. Fries. treda, D. & L. Ger. treden, Icel. trodha, Sw. träda, träde, Dan. træde, Goth. trudan, O. H. Ger. tretan, N. H. Ger. treten, allied to Lat. trudere, to thrust, shove forward. Cf. also W. troed, Gael. troidh, Ir. troigh, a foot.]

1Sense 1. To set the foot.

Where'er you tread, the blushing flowers shall rise. Pope.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Pope.

2Sense 2. To walk or go. “Ye that stately tread, or lowly creep.” Milton.

3Sense 3. To accomplish by walking; to make. [Rare.]

I am resolved To forsake Malta, tread a pilgrimage To fair Jerusalem. Beau. & Fl.

4Sense 4. To copulate, as birds. Shak.

To tread on or upon. (a.) To trample; to set the foot on in contempt. “Thou shalt tread upon their high places.” Deut. xxxiii. 29. (b.) To follow closely. “Year treads on year.” Wordsworth. — To tread upon the heels of, to follow close upon. “Dreadful consequences that tread upon the heels of those allowances to sin.” Milton.

One woe doth tread upon another's heel. Shak.

v. t. 1. To step or walk on. “Forbid to tread the promised land he saw.” Prior.

He thought she trod the ground with greater grace. Dryden.

2Sense 2. To beat or press with the feet; as, to tread a path; to tread land when too light; a well-trodden path.

3Sense 3. To crush under the foot; to trample in contempt or hatred, or to subdue.

4Sense 4. To copulate with; to feather; to cover;—said of the male bird.

To tread out, to press out with the feet; to press out, as wine or wheat; as, to tread out grain with cattle or horses.—To tread the stage, to act as a stage-player; to perform a part in a drama.