noun
- the arched upper surface of the human foot between the toes and the ankle.
- the part of a shoe, stocking, etc., covering this surface.
- the front of the hind leg of a horse, cow, etc., between the hock and the pastern joint; cannon.
noun
- the middle section of the human foot, forming the arch between the ankle and toes
- the part of a shoe, stocking, etc, covering this
mid-15c., apparently from in + step, “though this hardly makes sense” [Weekley]. An Old English word for “instep” was fotwelm. Middle English also had a verb instep “to track, trace” (c.1400).
n.
- The arched middle part of the foot between toes and ankle.