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hoof |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia | 0.03 sec. |
hoofHorny covering that protects the sensitive parts of the foot of an animal. The possession of hooves is characteristic of the orders Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates such as deer and cattle), and Perissodactyla (horses, tapirs, and rhinoceroses). The flexibility of the hoof is promoted by a fluid secreted by the keratogenous (horn-producing) membrane. The cloven hoof of the Artiodactyla has been evolved for walking and climbing on irregular surfaces by the formation of a separate hoof on each digit of the foot. Horses walk on the third digit of the foot, while cattle walk on the third and fourth. |
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The blacksmith took my feet in his hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. And yet the imps will have every hoof of them afore the day sets in, because it's reason ag'in instinct. The deep-trodden hoof-marks, made in the muddiest days of winter, gave him a shake now and then which suggested a rash but stimulating snarl at the father of lawyers, who, whether by means of his hoof or otherwise, had doubtless something to do with this state of the roads; and the abundance of foul land and neglected fences that met his eye, though they made no part of his brother Moss's farm, strongly contributed to his dissatisfaction with that unlucky agriculturist. |
hoof
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