Tiptoe — Defs

01 n. The end, or tip, of the toe.

pl. Tiptoes

1.
The end, or tip, of the toe.
“He must . . . stand on his typtoon [tiptoes].” — Chaucer.

“Upon his tiptoes stalketh stately by.” — Spenser.

Phrases & compounds

To be a tiptoe — to be awake or alive to anything; to be roused; to be eager or alert; as, to be a tiptoe with expectation.

02 a. Being on tiptoe, or as on tiptoe; hence, raised as high as possible; lifted up; exalted; also, alert.

1.
Being on tiptoe, or as on tiptoe; hence, raised as high as possible; lifted up; exalted; also, alert.
“Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops.” — Shak.

“Above the tiptoe pinnacle of glory.” — Byron.
2.
Noiseless; stealthy.

Phrases & compounds

Tiptoe mirth — the highest degree of mirth.

03 v. i. To step or walk on tiptoe.