tread

Everyday

1. To walk or step on something, often pressing it down. tree →
2. To press or crush something with your feet. tree →
3. (noun) The sound or way someone walks: «a heavy tread». tree →
4. (noun) The pattern of grooves on a tyre or shoe sole that grips the ground. tree →
5. (noun) The flat part of a step on a staircase. tree →
6. «Tread water»: to stay upright in water by moving your legs and arms, without swimming forward. tree →

In the lessons

In swimming lessons pupils learn to «tread water» to stay safe. In road safety, tyres need enough tread to grip wet roads. In stories: «tread carefully», «tread softly» show caution. Phrases: «tread on», «tread carefully», «tread water», «tyre tread», «tread on someone's toes».

Examples

• Try not to tread on the flowers. tree →
• I trod in a puddle on the way to school. tree →
• We practised treading water in the deep end. tree →
• Grapes were once trodden by feet to make juice. tree →
• We heard a heavy tread on the stairs. tree →
• The tyres had worn tread, so Dad replaced them. tree →
• Tread carefully — the ice is thin. tree →
• (informal) I didn't want to tread on anyone's toes by changing the plan. tree →
• "Then follow me," said Ariadne, "and tread softly." tree →

Note

Irregular: tread → trod → trodden (US also «trod» as past participle). «Tread» rhymes with «bed». «Tread on someone's toes» means upset them by doing their job or interfering. Do not mix up «tread» (step) with «treat» or «thread».

In Jewish tradition

To "tread" on a place means to take it as one's own; the land that Israel's feet touch is promised to them, while Esau's mount Seir is not to be trodden. The prophets and psalms also use it for trampling enemies down, for walking in a path of God's commands, and for treading grapes in a winepress.

Interpretation. Rashi and others read the promise of "every place whereon your foot shall tread" as depending on Israel settling and living there, and not on conquest alone. The tradition reads "make me to tread in the path of Thy commandments" as a prayer to be guided in the way of living by the Torah.

Examples

• And thine enemies shall dwindle away before thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. (Torah DEU.33.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness, and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the hinder sea shall be your border. (Torah DEU.11.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• contend not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. (Torah DEU.2.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• O my soul, tread them down with strength. (Prophets JDG.5.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• Make me to tread in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight. (Writings PSA.119.35, JPS 1917) tree →
• They make oil within the rows of these men; they tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst. (Writings JOB.24.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Irregular: tread → trod → trodden (US also «trod» as past participle). «Tread» rhymes with «bed». «Tread on someone's toes» means upset them by doing their job or interfering. Do not mix up «tread» (step) with «treat» or «thread».