Etymology

tiptoe

T1I1P3T1O1E1

Today it means: The tip of the toe. Full definition →

First used late 14th C.Middle English tipto
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tiptoe · noun, adjective, verb1

  1. Middle English · inherited fromtipto
  2. English todaytiptoe

From Middle English tipto, typto; equivalent to tip + toe. Compare fingertip.

Tiptoe · proper noun2

Derived from a surname of French origin recorded in the 13th century as "Typetot".

First known use, by meaning

  • from late 14th C. To walk quietly with only the tips of the toes touching the ground.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.