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Entry 5 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Hoof

/(ho͞of)/ · IPA /hʊf/
01 n. The horny substance or case that covers or terminates the feet of certain animals, as horses, oxen, etc.
pl. Hoofs, Hooves ((ho͞ofs))
  1. 1.
    The horny substance or case that covers or terminates the feet of certain animals, as horses, oxen, etc.
    “On burnished hooves his war horse trode.” — Tennyson.
  2. 2.
    A hoofed animal; a beast.
    “Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind.” — Ex. x. 26.
  3. 3.
    See Ungula.(Geom.) See: Ungula
02 v. i. To walk as cattle.
  1. 1.
    To walk as cattle.[R.]
  2. 2.
    To be on a tramp; to foot.[Slang, U.S.]
Phrases & compounds
To hoof it — to foot it.
On the hoof — of cattle, standing (on the hoof); not slaughtered.
beef on the hoof — live cattle.