heterodactyl
|het-er-o-dac-tyl|
/ˌhɛtərəˈdæktɪl/
different-toed (specific toe arrangement)
Etymology
'heterodactyl' originates from Greek, specifically from 'hetero-' meaning 'different' and 'daktulos' meaning 'finger, toe'; the form was later adopted into New Latin/English scientific usage as 'heterodactylus'/'heterodactyl'.
'heterodactyl' was formed in scientific (New Latin/English) usage in the 19th century from Greek elements 'hetero-' + 'daktulos' and was used in zoological descriptions (e.g. of trogons); this coined term entered English specialized vocabulary without passing through a long Middle English stage.
Initially it literally meant 'different-fingered' (i.e., having different toes), and it retained that literal sense while becoming a technical term specifically referring to a particular toe arrangement in certain birds.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a bird that has a heterodactyl foot arrangement (a specific arrangement of the toes distinct from other toe arrangements); especially used for members of the trogon family.
Trogons are heterodactyl birds, with a toe arrangement unlike that of most perching species.
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Adjective 1
having a heterodactyl arrangement of toes; describing the specific toe configuration found in certain birds.
The field guide notes several heterodactyl species found in tropical forests.
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Last updated: 2025/09/17 07:11