crow's-foot

American  

[krohz-foot] / ˈkroʊzˌfʊt /

noun

• crow's-feet
  plural

1. Usually crow's-feet. any of the tiny wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes resulting from age or constant squinting.

2. Aeronautics. an arrangement of ropes in which one main rope exerts pull at several points simultaneously through a group of smaller ropes, as in balloon or airship rigging.

3. (in tailoring) a three-pointed embroidered design used as a finish, as at the end of a seam or opening.

4. crowfoot.

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crow's-foot British  

noun

1. (often plural) a wrinkle at the outer corner of the eye

2. an embroidery stitch with three points, used esp as a finishing at the end of a seam

3. a system of diverging short ropes to distribute the pull of a single rope, used esp in balloon and airship riggings

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• crow's-feet
  plural

Etymology

Origin of crow's-foot

1350–1400; Middle English; so called because likened to a crow's foot or footprint

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crow's-foot crow's-feet

Annabeth ran her hand along some marks on the ground - a jagged crow’s-foot shape as long as a human body.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

The crow's-foot wrinkles about his eyes deepened to a frown of inquiry.

From The Street Called Straight by Orson Lowell

Trefoil, crow's-foot, clover, mallow, and wild mustard riot, tangling and interweaving.

From The Black Opal by Katharine Susannah Prichard

The cactus and Spanish dagger, and the ever-present sage bush of the lower levels, had disappeared, crow's-foot and blue-joint grasses swung in the wind.

From The Spirit of Sweetwater by Hamlin Garland

The Freshmen were not allowed to wear the crow's-foot, and the custom is now discontinued, although an unsuccessful attempt was made to revive it a few years ago.

From A Collection of College Words and Customs by Benjamin Homer Hall

Yet, as the contest stressed empathy, confidence and authenticity as feminine ideals, the mentions of “young woman” remained in place, and with it, the ban on crow’s-feet.

From Seattle Times ● May 25, 2024

Another is going to say, ‘Why does Ellen Barkin have so much Botox?’ and one underneath that will say, ‘Why doesn’t Ellen put some Botox around those crow’s-feet?’

From New York Times ● Apr. 10, 2015

The candidate smiled patiently, crinkling the crow's-feet around his eyes.

From Time ● May 19, 2011

And Reichen, who is so gorgeous even his encroaching crow's-feet are perfectly placed, seems like one of those guys who forgets he is beautiful and desired by everyone all the time.

From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2010

When had those crow’s-feet first appeared around his pale blue eyes?

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin