unequal-limbed
|un-e-qual--limbed|
/ʌnˈiːkwəlˌlɪmd/
limbs not same length
Etymology
'unequal-limbed' is formed from the adjective 'unequal' + the adjective-forming use of 'limbed' (from 'limb'). 'unequal' originates from Old French 'inegal' and ultimately from Latin 'inaequalis', where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'aequalis' meant 'equal', while 'limb' originates from Old English 'lim' meaning 'limb' or 'member'.
'unequal' changed from Old French 'inegal' (and Latin 'inaequalis') into Middle/Modern English 'unequal'; 'limb' developed from Old English 'lim' into modern 'limb', and the compound 'unequal-limbed' arose in Modern English as a descriptive compound.
Initially the parts meant 'not equal' and 'a limb' separately; over time the combined form came to be used specifically to describe organisms or individuals whose limbs are of unequal length, i.e. 'having limbs of unequal size or length.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having limbs (arms or legs) of unequal length or size; not symmetrical in limb proportions.
The bird appeared unequal-limbed after the injury, with one wing noticeably shorter than the other.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/08 20:23