the horny covering protecting the ends of the digits or encasing the foot in certain animals, as the ox and horse.

the entire foot of a horse, donkey, etc.

Older Use . a hoofed animal, esp. one of a herd.

Informal . the human foot.

Slang . to walk (often fol. by it )

Let's hoof it to the supermarket.

Slang . to dance, esp. to tap-dance

He's been hoofing at the Palladium.

on the hoof

(of livestock) not butchered; live

The city youngsters were seeing lambs on the hoof for the first time.