hooves
hooves — noun
1. The tough, horn-like material growing on the bottom part of the feet of horses,
The tough, horn-like material growing on the bottom part of the feet of horses, cattle, deer, and similar grazing animals, protecting their feet from damage as they move across rough ground.
The farrier checked each of the mare's hooves for cracks before fitting new shoes.
collocation: check hooves / farrier
Minho cleaned the mud from his horse's hooves after their evening ride.
Mountain goats have hooves with rough edges that help them grip steep, slippery rocks.
A deer's hoof is made of the same material as a human fingernail, only much thicker.
Veterinarians trim the hooves of dairy cows twice a year to prevent painful hoof diseases.
文法句型
hooves of [animal]
animal's hooves
用法筆記
When referring to one animal's single hoof, use 'hoof' (singular). This sense describes the horny casing itself, not the whole foot.
常見錯誤
2. The whole foot of an animal such as a horse, deer, or cow, including the horny h
The whole foot of an animal such as a horse, deer, or cow, including the horny hoof and the lower part of the leg that touches the ground.
Saira watched the stallions' hooves pound the dirt track during the race.
collocation: hooves pound [surface]
David heard hooves approaching long before the riders came into view.
Deep deer hoof prints lined the soft mud all along the riverbank path.
The rider knew the gelding was in pain when it kept lifting its hooves.
文法句型
sound of hooves
[animal]'s hooves
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (HARD ANIMAL COVERING): sense 2 refers to the entire foot, not just the horny outer layer. Use this sense when describing movement, sound, or injury to the foot as a whole.
常見錯誤
hooves — verb
- hoovespresent simple I / you / we / they
- hooveses3rd person singular
- hoovesing-ing form
- hoovesedpast simple
1. To walk or run somewhere on foot, especially when you are in a hurry or when tra
To walk or run somewhere on foot, especially when you are in a hurry or when travelling by vehicle is not possible.
When the taxi never arrived, Emily had to hoof it to the airport terminal.
informal: 'hoof it' meaning walk quickly
Gabriela hoofed it across three blocks to catch the last train before midnight.
The tourists hoofed it up the hill after the cable car broke down again.
David hoofed it home through the park after missing the evening bus by two minutes.
- ride
To travel on a vehicle or animal rather than walking.
文法句型
hoof it + adverb phrase
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'it' — 'hoof it' is a fixed expression. The past tense is 'hoofed it', not 'hooved it'.
常見錯誤
2. To strike or crush something with the front or back hooves — used of horses, cat
To strike or crush something with the front or back hooves — used of horses, cattle, and other hoofed animals when they kick out at something or step heavily on it.
The startled horse hoofed the wooden fence, splintering the top board into pieces.
Marta stayed far from the bull, afraid it might hoof her if she came closer.
The cattle hoofed the muddy ground into a slippery mess near the barn door.
The stallion tried to hoof the farrier when he got too close to its hind legs.
文法句型
hoof [object]
用法筆記
This sense is rare in modern English. It is more commonly expressed by 'kick' or 'trample'. The past tense is 'hoofed', not 'hooved'.