crow's-foot

American  

[krohz-foot] / ˈkroʊzˌfʊt /

noun

plural

crow's-feet

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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Etymology

Origin of crow's-foot

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

Example Sentences

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

Meanwhile, they who act with too jealous respect for their morrow of civilized comfort, reap only indigestion, and crow's-foot traceries for their deluded eye-corners.

From Modern Essays by Ayres, Harry Morgan

There was holly and crow's-foot up in the hills, and David and Anne hitched big Ben to a cart and went after it.

From Mistress Anne by Wilson, F. Vaux (Francis Vaux)

Pity you're not allowed to loose-out, for there's a grand bit of crow's-foot round that pine tree in the hollow.

From Such Is Life by Furphy, Joseph

You pick your way daintily along the edge of the road, for it is carpeted so thickly with sea-pinks and yellow and crimson crow’s-foot that you scarcely know where to step.

From Ladies-In-Waiting by Curtiss, Christine Tucke