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Rung vs Tread - What's the difference?

rung | tread |

As nouns the difference between rung and tread

is that rung is a crosspiece forming a step of a ladder; a round while tread is a step.

As verbs the difference between rung and tread

is that rung is past participle of lang=en (only in senses related to a bell — etymology 2)tread is to step or walk (on or over something); to trample.

rung

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) hrung.

Noun

(en noun)
  • A crosspiece forming a step of a ladder; a round.
  • A crosspiece between legs of a chair.
  • (nautical, dated) A floor timber in a ship.
  • (dated) One of the stakes of a cart; a spar; a heavy staff.
  • (engineering, dated) One of the radial handles projecting from the rim of a steering wheel.
  • (engineering, dated) One of the pins or trundles of a lantern wheel.
  • Etymology 2

    From the verb ring . (en)

    Verb

    (head)
  • (only in senses related to a bell — etymology 2)
  • (chiefly, dialectal) (ring)
  • *1723 , Charles Walker, Memoirs of Sally Salisbury , VI:
  • *:With ecchoing Shouts the vaulted Chamber rung , / Belle Chuck'' was now the ''TOAST of ev'ry Tongue.
  • * {{quote-journal, journals=Report of State Officers, Board and Committees to the General ..., page=229,
  • books.google.com/books?id=YHYbAQAAIAAJ, South Carolina. General Assembly, year=1906, passage=Mr. Seibels, in his testimony, said I rung' him up to see about labels. He is very much mistaken. I ' rung him up to see about bottles.}}
  • *
  • *
  • Usage notes

    "Rang" and "rung" are incorrect for the past of "ring" in the sense of encircle. "Rung" as a simple past is usually considered incorrect.

    tread

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) treden, from (etyl) {{term, tredan, , to tread, step on, trample, traverse, pass over, enter upon, roam through , lang=ang}}, from (etyl) , Norwegian treda.

    Verb

  • To step or walk (on or over something); to trample.
  • He trod back and forth wearily.
    Don't tread on the lawn.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Fools rush in where angels fear to tread .
  • * Milton
  • ye that stately tread , or lowly creep
  • To step or walk upon.
  • Actors tread the boards.
  • To beat or press with the feet.
  • to tread''' a path; to '''tread''' land when too light; a well-'''trodden path
  • To go through or accomplish by walking, dancing, etc.
  • * Beaumont and Fletcher
  • I am resolved to forsake Malta, tread a pilgrimage to fair Jerusalem.
  • * Shakespeare
  • They have measured many a mile, / To tread a measure with you on this grass.
  • To crush under the foot; to trample in contempt or hatred; to subdue.
  • * Bible, Psalms xliv. 5
  • Through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
  • To copulate; said of (especially male) birds.
  • (Shakespeare)
  • (of a male bird) To copulate with.
  • (Chaucer)
  • (tread)
  • Usage notes
    * "(term)" is not commonly used in the UK and is less common in the US as well. It is apparently used more often in (tread water). * (term) is sometimes used as a past and past participle, especially in the US.
    Derived terms
    * betread * * tread water * untrod * treading on eggshells Use of expression in delicate situations; be nice

    Etymology 2

    From the above verb.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A step.
  • A manner of stepping.
  • * Tennyson
  • She is coming, my own, my sweet; / Were it ever so airy a tread , / My heart would hear her and beat.
  • (obsolete) A way; a track or path.
  • (Shakespeare)
  • The grooves carved into the face of a tire, used to give the tire traction.
  • The grooves on the bottom of a shoe or other footwear, used to give grip or traction.
  • The horizontal part of a step in a flight of stairs.
  • The sound made when someone or something is walking.
  • * 1886 , (Robert Louis Stevenson), (Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde)
  • The steps fell lightly and oddly, with a certain swing, for all they went so slowly; it was different indeed from the heavy creaking tread of Henry Jekyll. Utterson sighed. "Is there never anything else?" he asked.
  • * 1896 , (Bret Harte), Barker's Luck and Other Stories
  • But when, after a singularly heavy tread and the jingle of spurs on the platform, the door flew open to the newcomer, he seemed a realization of our worst expectations.
  • (biology) The chalaza of a bird's egg; the treadle.
  • The act of copulation in birds.
  • (fortification) The top of the banquette, on which soldiers stand to fire over the parapet.
  • A bruise or abrasion produced on the foot or ankle of a horse that interferes, or strikes its feet together.
  • Synonyms
    * (horizontal part of a step) run
    Antonyms
    * (horizontal part of a step) rise, riser
    Derived terms
    *

    See also

    * (wikipedia)

    Anagrams

    *

    References