Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Screw \Screw\ (skr[udd]), n. [OE. scrue, OF. escroue, escroe,
   female screw, F. ['e]crou, L. scrobis a ditch, trench, in
   LL., the hole made by swine in rooting; cf. D. schroef a
   screw, G. schraube, Icel. skr[=u]fa.]
   1. A cylinder, or a cylindrical perforation, having a
      continuous rib, called the thread, winding round it
      spirally at a constant inclination, so as to leave a
      continuous spiral groove between one turn and the next, --
      used chiefly for producing, when revolved, motion or
      pressure in the direction of its axis, by the sliding of
      the threads of the cylinder in the grooves between the
      threads of the perforation adapted to it, the former being
      distinguished as the external, or male screw, or, more
      usually the screw; the latter as the internal, or female
      screw, or, more usually, the nut.

   Note: The screw, as a mechanical power, is a modification of
         the inclined plane, and may be regarded as a
         right-angled triangle wrapped round a cylinder, the
         hypotenuse of the marking the spiral thread of the
         screw, its base equaling the circumference of the
         cylinder, and its height the pitch of the thread.

   2. Specifically, a kind of nail with a spiral thread and a
      head with a nick to receive the end of the screw-driver.
      Screws are much used to hold together pieces of wood or to
      fasten something; -- called also {wood screws}, and {screw
      nails}. See also {Screw bolt}, below.

   3. Anything shaped or acting like a screw; esp., a form of
      wheel for propelling steam vessels. It is placed at the
      stern, and furnished with blades having helicoidal
      surfaces to act against the water in the manner of a
      screw. See {Screw propeller}, below.

   4. A steam vesel propelled by a screw instead of wheels; a
      screw steamer; a propeller.

   5. An extortioner; a sharp bargainer; a skinflint; a niggard.
      --Thackeray.

   6. An instructor who examines with great or unnecessary
      severity; also, a searching or strict examination of a
      student by an instructor. [Cant, American Colleges]

   7. A small packet of tobacco. [Slang] --Mayhew.

   8. An unsound or worn-out horse, useful as a hack, and
      commonly of good appearance. --Ld. Lytton.

   9. (Math.) A straight line in space with which a definite
      linear magnitude termed the pitch is associated (cf. 5th
      {Pitch}, 10
      (b) ). It is used to express the displacement of a rigid
          body, which may always be made to consist of a
          rotation about an axis combined with a translation
          parallel to that axis.

   10. (Zo["o]l.) An amphipod crustacean; as, the skeleton screw
       ({Caprella}). See {Sand screw}, under {Sand}.

   {Archimedes screw}, {Compound screw}, {Foot screw}, etc. See
      under {Archimedes}, {Compound}, {Foot}, etc.

   {A screw loose}, something out of order, so that work is not
      done smoothly; as, there is a screw loose somewhere. --H.
      Martineau.

   {Endless, or perpetual, {screw}, a screw used to give motion
      to a toothed wheel by the action of its threads between
      the teeth of the wheel; -- called also a {worm}.

   {Lag screw}. See under {Lag}.

   {Micrometer screw}, a screw with fine threads, used for the
      measurement of very small spaces.

   {Right and left screw}, a screw having threads upon the
      opposite ends which wind in opposite directions.

   {Screw alley}. See {Shaft alley}, under {Shaft}.

   {Screw bean}. (Bot.)
       (a) The curious spirally coiled pod of a leguminous tree
           ({Prosopis pubescens}) growing from Texas to
           California. It is used for fodder, and ground into
           meal by the Indians.
       (b) The tree itself. Its heavy hard wood is used for
           fuel, for fencing, and for railroad ties.

   {Screw bolt}, a bolt having a screw thread on its shank, in
      distinction from a {key bolt}. See 1st {Bolt}, 3.

   {Screw box}, a device, resembling a die, for cutting the
      thread on a wooden screw.

   {Screw dock}. See under {Dock}.

   {Screw engine}, a marine engine for driving a screw
      propeller.

   {Screw gear}. See {Spiral gear}, under {Spiral}.

   {Screw jack}. Same as {Jackscrew}.

   {Screw key}, a wrench for turning a screw or nut; a spanner
      wrench.

   {Screw machine}.
       (a) One of a series of machines employed in the
           manufacture of wood screws.
       (b) A machine tool resembling a lathe, having a number of
           cutting tools that can be caused to act on the work
           successively, for making screws and other turned
           pieces from metal rods.

   {Screw pine} (Bot.), any plant of the endogenous genus
      {Pandanus}, of which there are about fifty species,
      natives of tropical lands from Africa to Polynesia; --
      named from the spiral arrangement of the pineapple-like
      leaves.

   {Screw plate}, a device for cutting threads on small screws,
      consisting of a thin steel plate having a series of
      perforations with internal screws forming dies.

   {Screw press}, a press in which pressure is exerted by means
      of a screw.

   {Screw propeller}, a screw or spiral bladed wheel, used in
      the propulsion of steam vessels; also, a steam vessel
      propelled by a screw.

   {Screw shell} (Zo["o]l.), a long, slender, spiral gastropod
      shell, especially of the genus Turritella and allied
      genera. See {Turritella}.

   {Screw steamer}, a steamship propelled by a screw.

   {Screw thread}, the spiral rib which forms a screw.

   {Screw stone} (Paleon.), the fossil stem of an encrinite.

   {Screw tree} (Bot.), any plant of the genus {Helicteres},
      consisting of about thirty species of tropical shrubs,
      with simple leaves and spirally twisted, five-celled
      capsules; -- also called {twisted-horn}, and {twisty}.

   {Screw valve}, a stop valve which is opened or closed by a
      screw.

   {Screw worm} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of an American fly
      ({Compsomyia macellaria}), allied to the blowflies, which
      sometimes deposits its eggs in the nostrils, or about
      wounds, in man and other animals, with fatal results.

   {Screw wrench}.
       (a) A wrench for turning a screw.
       (b) A wrench with an adjustable jaw that is moved by a
           screw.

   {To put the} {screw, or screws}, {on}, to use pressure upon,
      as for the purpose of extortion; to coerce.

   {To put under the} {screw or screws}, to subject to pressure;
      to force.

   {Wood screw}, a metal screw with a sharp thread of coarse
      pitch, adapted to holding fast in wood. See Illust. of
      {Wood screw}, under {Wood}.

Foot \Foot\ (f[oo^]t), n.; pl. {Feet} (f[=e]t). [OE. fot, foot,
   pl. fet, feet. AS. f[=o]t, pl. f[=e]t; akin to D. voet, OHG.
   fuoz, G. fuss, Icel. f[=o]tr, Sw. fot, Dan. fod, Goth.
   f[=o]tus, L. pes, Gr. poy`s, Skr. p[=a]d, Icel. fet step,
   pace measure of a foot, feta to step, find one's way.
   [root]77, 250. Cf. {Antipodes}, {Cap-a-pie}, {Expedient},
   {Fet} to fetch, {Fetlock}, {Fetter}, {Pawn} a piece in chess,
   {Pedal}.]
   1. (Anat.) The terminal part of the leg of man or an animal;
      esp., the part below the ankle or wrist; that part of an
      animal upon which it rests when standing, or moves. See
      {Manus}, and {Pes}.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) The muscular locomotive organ of a mollusk. It
      is a median organ arising from the ventral region of body,
      often in the form of a flat disk, as in snails. See
      Illust. of {Buccinum}.

   3. That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as,
      the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking.

   4. The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as
      of a mountain or column; also, the last of a row or
      series; the end or extremity, esp. if associated with
      inferiority; as, the foot of a hill; the foot of the
      procession; the foot of a class; the foot of the bed.

            And now at foot Of heaven's ascent they lift their
            feet.                                 --Milton.

   5. Fundamental principle; basis; plan; -- used only in the
      singular.

            Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason.
                                                  --Berkeley.

   6. Recognized condition; rank; footing; -- used only in the
      singular. [R.]

            As to his being on the foot of a servant. --Walpole.

   7. A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third
      of a yard. See {Yard}.

   Note: This measure is supposed to be taken from the length of
         a man's foot. It differs in length in different
         countries. In the United States and in England it is
         304.8 millimeters.

   8. (Mil.) Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry,
      usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the
      cavalry. ``Both horse and foot.'' --Milton.

   9. (Pros.) A combination of syllables consisting a metrical
      element of a verse, the syllables being formerly
      distinguished by their quantity or length, but in modern
      poetry by the accent.

   10. (Naut.) The lower edge of a sail.

   Note: Foot is often used adjectively, signifying of or
         pertaining to a foot or the feet, or to the base or
         lower part. It is also much used as the first of
         compounds.

   {Foot artillery}. (Mil.)
       (a) Artillery soldiers serving in foot.
       (b) Heavy artillery. --Farrow.

   {Foot bank} (Fort.), a raised way within a parapet.

   {Foot barracks} (Mil.), barracks for infantery.

   {Foot bellows}, a bellows worked by a treadle. --Knight.

   {Foot company} (Mil.), a company of infantry. --Milton.

   {Foot gear}, covering for the feet, as stocking, shoes, or
      boots.

   {Foot hammer} (Mach.), a small tilt hammer moved by a
      treadle.

   {Foot iron}.
       (a) The step of a carriage.
       (b) A fetter.

   {Foot jaw}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Maxilliped}.

   {Foot key} (Mus.), an organ pedal.

   {Foot level} (Gunnery), a form of level used in giving any
      proposed angle of elevation to a piece of ordnance.
      --Farrow.

   {Foot mantle}, a long garment to protect the dress in riding;
      a riding skirt. [Obs.]

   {Foot page}, an errand boy; an attendant. [Obs.]

   {Foot passenger}, one who passes on foot, as over a road or
      bridge.

   {Foot pavement}, a paved way for foot passengers; a footway;
      a trottoir.

   {Foot poet}, an inferior poet; a poetaster. [R.] --Dryden.

   {Foot post}.
       (a) A letter carrier who travels on foot.
       (b) A mail delivery by means of such carriers.

   {Fot pound}, & {Foot poundal}. (Mech.) See {Foot pound} and
      {Foot poundal}, in the Vocabulary.

   {Foot press} (Mach.), a cutting, embossing, or printing
      press, moved by a treadle.

   {Foot race}, a race run by persons on foot. --Cowper.

   {Foot rail}, a railroad rail, with a wide flat flange on the
      lower side.

   {Foot rot}, an ulcer in the feet of sheep; claw sickness.

   {Foot rule}, a rule or measure twelve inches long.

   {Foot screw}, an adjusting screw which forms a foot, and
      serves to give a machine or table a level standing on an
      uneven place.

   {Foot secretion}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Sclerobase}.

   {Foot soldier}, a soldier who serves on foot.

   {Foot stick} (Printing), a beveled piece of furniture placed
      against the foot of the page, to hold the type in place.
      

   {Foot stove}, a small box, with an iron pan, to hold hot
      coals for warming the feet.

   {Foot tubercle}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Parapodium}.

   {Foot valve} (Steam Engine), the valve that opens to the air
      pump from the condenser.

   {Foot vise}, a kind of vise the jaws of which are operated by
      a treadle.

   {Foot waling} (Naut.), the inside planks or lining of a
      vessel over the floor timbers. --Totten.

   {Foot wall} (Mining), the under wall of an inclosed vein.

   {By foot}, or {On foot}, by walking; as, to pass a stream on
      foot.

   {Cubic foot}. See under {Cubic}.

   {Foot and mouth disease}, a contagious disease (Eczema
      epizo["o]tica) of cattle, sheep, swine, etc.,
      characterized by the formation of vesicles and ulcers in
      the mouth and about the hoofs.

   {Foot of the fine} (Law), the concluding portion of an
      acknowledgment in court by which, formerly, the title of
      land was conveyed. See {Fine of land}, under {Fine}, n.;
      also {Chirograph}. (b).

   {Square foot}. See under {Square}.

   {To be on foot}, to be in motion, action, or process of
      execution.

   {To keep the foot} (Script.), to preserve decorum. ``Keep thy
      foot when thou goest to the house of God.'' --Eccl. v. 1.

   {To put one's foot down}, to take a resolute stand; to be
      determined. [Colloq.]

   {To put the best foot foremost}, to make a good appearance;
      to do one's best. [Colloq.]

   {To set on foot}, to put in motion; to originate; as, to set
      on foot a subscription.

   {To} {put, or set}, {one on his feet}, to put one in a
      position to go on; to assist to start.

   {Under foot}.
       (a) Under the feet; (Fig.) at one's mercy; as, to trample
           under foot. --Gibbon.
       (b) Below par. [Obs.] ``They would be forced to sell . .
           . far under foot.'' --Bacon.