heterodactyly
|het-er-o-dac-ty-ly|
/ˌhɛtərəˈdæktəli/
different toe arrangement
Etymology
'heterodactyly' originates from Greek, specifically the prefix 'hetero-' and the word 'daktylos,' where 'hetero-' meant 'different' and 'daktylos' meant 'finger' or 'toe'.
'heterodactyly' was formed in modern scientific English by combining Greek-derived elements ('hetero-' + 'dactyl-') and entered ornithological usage in the 19th century to describe a distinct toe arrangement.
Initially a literal formation meaning 'different fingers/toes,' it came to be used specifically in zoology/ornithology to denote the particular toe arrangement now described.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an arrangement of the toes in certain birds in which the first and second toes are directed backward and the third and fourth forward (a toe configuration characteristic of trogons).
Heterodactyly is characteristic of trogons and helps them perch securely.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/06 09:32