Meaning & use
crowfeet
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“crowfeet” is a form of “crowfoot”.
Meanings
nounpluraltechnicalbiology
Plants of the buttercup family with deeply divided, foot-shaped leaves.
Grammar: Plural form of 'crowfoot'; used mainly in technical writing about plants.
Patterns
- crowfeet grow in something
- a patch of crowfeet
Crowfeet were growing along the wet edge of the field.
The guide lists several kinds of crowfeet found in marshes.
In spring the crowfeet open small white flowers.
nounpluraltechnical
Wrenches with a claw-shaped head that grips nuts in tight spaces.
Grammar: Plural of 'crowfoot'; usually used with a plural verb.
Patterns
- a set of crowfeet
- use crowfeet on something
The mechanic used crowfeet to reach the nut behind the engine.
A set of crowfeet is useful when a normal wrench will not fit.
He attached the crowfeet to a long handle for extra reach.
Word forms
| singular | crowfoot |
|---|
Common combinations
- a set of crowfeet
- He bought a set of crowfeet for the workshop.
- crowfeet wrenches
- Crowfeet wrenches come in many sizes.
- water crowfeet
- Water crowfeet floated on the surface of the pond.
Synonyms and how they differ
- buttercup
- A related flower; buttercups usually have simple, rounded leaves, while crowfeet have divided, foot-shaped leaves.
Word family
- crowfoot noun
- The singular form of the same word.
Commonly confused: crowfeet or crow's feet?
crowfeet vs crow's feet
'Crow's feet' means the small lines around the eyes, written with an apostrophe and two words; 'crowfeet' is a plant or a tool.
Practice
What does 'crowfeet' most often mean in a technical context?
Choose one answer.
In technical use 'crowfeet' refers to plants of the buttercup family or claw-shaped wrenches. 'Lines around the eyes' is tempting but that is 'crow's feet', a different expression.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “crowfeet”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.