spade foot

1 of 2

noun (1)

: a terminal enlargement of the straight square furniture leg especially of the late 18th century that sweeps outward in an abrupt curve on each side and then gradually tapers downward

spadefoot

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or spadefoot toad
plural spadefoots or spadefoot toads
: any of several burrowing toads of the family Pelobatidae in which the inner bone of the tarsus has a strong sharp-edged horny sheath with which they dig

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spade foot was in 1867

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Dictionary Entries Near spade foot

spadefish

spade foot

spadefoot

Cite this Entry

“Spade foot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spade%20foot. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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