zygodactylism
|zy-go-dac-ty-lism|
/ˌzaɪɡəˈdæktəlɪzəm/
two toes forward, two toes back
Etymology
'zygodactylism' originates from Greek, specifically the roots 'zygon' and 'daktulos', where 'zygon' meant 'yoke' and 'daktulos' meant 'finger/toe'.
'zygodactylism' developed via New Latin/Modern scientific coinage from Greek 'zygodactylos' (yoke-finger) through formations such as Neo-Latin 'zygodactylus' and English scientific usage to produce the noun 'zygodactylism'.
Initially it referred literally to 'yoked toes' (the idea of toes paired or joined), and over time it came to denote the specific condition or toe arrangement of having two toes forward and two back.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the condition or arrangement of having zygodactyl feet: two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward (as in parrots, woodpeckers, and some other birds and reptiles).
Zygodactylism is characteristic of many parrots and some climbing birds.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/06 14:18