forepaw

American

[fawr-paw, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌpɔ, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

the paw of a foreleg.

forepaw British

/ ˈfɔːˌpɔː /

noun

either of the front feet of most land mammals that do not have hoofs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of forepaw

First recorded in 1815–25; fore- + paw ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The little creature at rest with its forepaw raised and a glint in its amber eyes is the piece that inspired de Waal’s acclaimed, best-selling memoir of 2010.

From New York Times • Oct. 17, 2021

Observers have even reported seeing domestic cats trap two cicadas at once, one under each forepaw.

From Scientific American • Apr. 9, 2021

Then, as Fiver stirred and muttered beside him, he pushed him gently with one forepaw and nuzzled his shoulder.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Suddenly, Wolf froze: ears rammed forwards, one forepaw raised.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Instead it shrank to the floor, lifting a forepaw in a futile gesture of defence.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023