Meaning of spade foot | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A block-shaped foot higher than wide and tapering slightly toward the bottom. The spade foot usually terminates a tapering leg, and the top of the foot is wider than the leg.
2. The foot that is habitually used to put pressure on a spade when digging.

Examples

“There also is the potential to disturb or destroy specific sites used by such species as the western diamond back rattlesnake, spade foot toad, and the desert tortoise.”

“The spade foot leg may be used as an alternate design.”

“Also, the glazing pattern of the bookcase traces simple diamonds rather than more elaborate arches or other curved elements, and the tapered legs end without a spade foot or an additional taper at the cuff.”

“First was his straight tapered leg, sometimes with a spade foot, at other times tipped in brass.”

“Nevertheless, one foot is generally used in preference to the other in such movements as digging (hence sometimes called the spade foot), in hopping, in making a leap, &c.”

“Rife says as regards the spade foot, "the fact is always overlooked that the foot used in spading is determined entirely by the bimanual dextrality"”

“I believe every boy will hop on his spade foot. at least I do so, and I am not left-handed; and I instinctively do so because I dig with this foot.”

CEFR level