| foot | 1. <anatomy> The terminal part of the leg of man or an animal; especially, the part below the ankle or wrist; that part of an animal upon which it rests when standing, or moves. See Manus, and Pes. 2. <marine biology> 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. 3. That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as, the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking. 4. The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as of a mountain or column; also, the last of a row or series; the end or extremity, especially. 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. " And now at foot Of heaven's ascent they lift their feet." (Milton) 5. Fundamental principle; basis; plan; used only in the singular. " Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason." (Berkeley) 6. Recognised condition; rank; footing; used only in the singular. " As to his being on the foot of a servant." (Walpole) 7. A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third of a yard. 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 millimetres. 8. Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry, usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the cavalry. "Both horse and foot." 9. 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. 10. The lower edge of a sail. 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. By foot, or On foot, by walking; as, to pass a stream on foot. Cubic foot. See Cubic. Foot and mouth disease, a contagious disease (Eczema epizootica) of cattle, sheep, swine, etc, characterised by the formation of vesicles and ulcers in the mouth and about the hoofs. Foot of the fine, to preserve decorum. "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God." To put one's foot down, to take a resolute stand; to be determined. To put the best foot foremost, to make a good appearance; to do one's best) at one's mercy; as, to trample under foot. Below par. "They would be forced to sell . . . Far under foot." Origin: OE. Fot, foot, pl. Feet. AS. Ft, pl. Ft; akin to D. Voet, OHG. Fuoz, G. Fuss, Icel. Fir, Sw. Fot, Dan. Fod, Goth. Ftus, L. Pes, Gr, Skr. Pad, Icel. Fet step, pace measure of a foot, feta to step, find one's way. 77. Cf. Antipodes, Cap-a-pie, Expedient, Fet to fetch, Fetlock, Fetter, Pawn a piece in chess, Pedal. (31 Mar 1998) |
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| foot-and-mouth disease | <disease> A highly infectious disease of wide distribution and great economic importance, occurring in cattle, swine, sheep, goats and all wild and domestic cloven-footed animals caused by a picornavirus (genus Rhinovirus) and characterised by vesicular eruptions in the mouth, tongue, hoofs, and udder; humans are rarely affected. Synonym: aftosa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| foot-and-mouth disease virus | A picornavirus of the genus Rhinovirus causing foot-and-mouth disease of cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and wild ruminants; it has wide distribution throughout Africa and Asia, causing serious economic losses; the virus is spread by contamination of the animal environment with infected saliva and excreta. Synonym: FMD virus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| foot-and-mouth disease virus vaccines | Vaccine's either of inactivated virus from infected cattle tongue epithelium or, more recently, of live virus attenuated by embryonated egg or mouse passage and propagated in tissue culture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| foot, athlete's | A skin infection caused by a fungus called Trichophyton which can thrive and infect the upper layer of the skin when the feet (or other areas of the body) remain moist, warm, and irritated. The fungus can be found on floors and in socks and clothing and can be spread from person to person by contact with these objects. However, without proper growing conditions (a warm, moist environment), the fungus will not infect the skin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| foot bones | The bones of the distal portion of the leg in man and animal. In the human, it consists of the tarsal bones, the metatarsal bones, the phalanges (toes), and the tissues encompassing them. (12 Dec 1998) |
| foot deformities | Alterations or deviations from normal shape or size which result in a disfigurement of the foot. (12 Dec 1998) |
| foot deformities, acquired | Distortion or disfigurement of the foot, or a part of the foot, acquired through disease or injury after birth. (12 Dec 1998) |
| foot deformities, congenital | Alterations or deviations from normal shape or size which result in a disfigurement of the foot occurring at or before birth. (12 Dec 1998) |
| foot dermatoses | Skin diseases of the foot, general or unspecified. (12 Dec 1998) |
| foot-drop | Paralysis or weakness of the dorsiflexor muscles of the foot, as a consequence of which the foot falls, the toes dragging on the ground in walking; many causes, both central and peripheral. (05 Mar 2000) |
| foot fungus | Athlete's foot causes foot itching, burning, pain, and scaling. It is caused by a fungus and is treated with antifungal medications, many of which are available over-the-counter. Keeping the feet dry by using cotton socks and breathable shoes helps prevent athletes foot. (12 Dec 1998) |
| foot injuries | General or unspecified injuries involving the foot. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Foot, N | <person> 20th century U.S. Pathologist. See: Foot's reticulin impregnation stain. (05 Mar 2000) |
| foot of hippocampus | <anatomy> The anterior thickened extremity of the hippocampus. Synonym: pes hippocampi, digitationes hippocampi. (05 Mar 2000) |