anisodactyle
|an-i-so-dac-tyle|
🇺🇸
/ˌænɪsəˈdæktəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌænɪsəˈdæktɪl/
(anisodactyl)
unequal toes — 3 forward, 1 back
Etymology
'anisodactyl' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anisodaktylos' (ἀνισοδάκτυλος), where 'aniso-' meant 'unequal' and 'dactyl(o)-' meant 'finger, toe'.
'anisodactyl' changed from the Greek 'anisodaktylos' into Neo-Latin/ scientific usage 'anisodactylus' and was adopted into English as 'anisodactyl' (with variant spellings such as 'anisodactyle') in the 19th century, used mainly in ornithology.
Initially, the components literally meant 'unequal-fingered', and over time this became the technical term for the specific toe arrangement 'three toes forward, one back' used in zoology and ornithology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a bird (or an instance) with an anisodactyl toe arrangement: three toes pointing forward and one pointing backward.
The field guide noted that the thrush was an anisodactyle, typical of many perching birds.
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Adjective 1
having the toes arranged anisodactylly; specifically, with three toes in front and one behind.
Most songbirds are anisodactyle in foot structure, enabling them to perch on branches.
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Last updated: 2025/08/13 05:36