cloven hoof

American  

noun

1. the figurative indication of Satan or evil temptation.

---

cloven hoof British  

noun

1. the divided hoof of a pig, goat, cow, deer, or related animal, which consists of the two middle digits of the foot

2. the mark or symbol of Satan

---

Other Word Forms

• cloven-hoofed adjective

Example Sentences

Each monster was about the size of a cow, with a bowed back like a broken-down horse, matted gray fur, skinny legs, and black cloven hooves.

From Literature

In the video, the singer has deer horns and cloven hooves.

From New York Times

“Dude, these are my feet. It’s not like I’m hiding cloven hooves.”

From Literature

In his short story “Ordeal by Golf,” the narrator declares, “In no other walk of life does the cloven hoof so quickly display itself.”

From The New Yorker

“I expected cloven hoofs,” said one former NSC staffer.

From Washington Post