Hoof (?), n.; pl. Hoofs (#), very rarely Hooves (#). [OE. hof, AS. hOf; akin to D. hoef, G1huf, OHG. huof, Icel. hOfr, Sw. hof, Dan. hov; cf. Russ. kopuito, Skr. çapha. √225.]
1.
The horny substance or case that covers or terminates the feet of certain animals, as horses, oxen, etc.
On burnished hooves his war horse trode.
Tennyson.
2.
A hoofed animal; a beast.
Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind.
Ex. x. 26.
3. (Geom.)
See Ungula.
© Webster 1913
Hoof, v. i.
1.
To walk as cattle. [R.] William Scott.
2.
To be on a tramp; to foot. [Slang, U.S.]
To hoof it, to foot it.
© Webster 1913
Hoof, n. --
On the hoof, of cattle, standing (on the hoof); not slaughtered.
© Webster 1913