forefoot

Everyday

1. One of the front feet of an animal with four legs. tree →
2. (sailing) The lowest front part of a ship's hull, where the keel meets the stem. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on animals: moles dig with their strong forefeet, horses stamp with a forefoot. In The Wind in the Willows the animals often use their forepaws and forefeet. Useful to describe how animals move and dig.

Examples

• The mole digs with its broad forefeet. tree →
• The pony lifted one forefoot to be shod. tree →
• The dog put a forefoot on my knee. tree →
• A kangaroo's forefeet are small; its back feet are huge. tree →
• The rabbit cleaned its face with its forefeet. tree →
• The ship's forefoot cut through the water. tree →

Note

Irregular plural: forefeet (like foot → feet). «Fore» means front; the back ones are hind feet. For dogs and cats people often say «front paws».