zygodactyly
|zy-go-dac-ty-ly|
🇺🇸
/ˌzaɪɡəˈdæktəli/
🇬🇧
/ˌzɪɡəˈdæktɪli/
yoked (paired) toes
Etymology
'zygodactyly' originates from New Latin (Modern Latin), specifically the word 'zygodactylia', where 'zygo-' meant 'yoked' and 'dactyl-' meant 'finger/toe'.
'zygodactyly' changed from Greek roots 'zygon' (yoke) + 'daktulos' (finger/toe) into New Latin 'zygodactylia' and was later borrowed into English as 'zygodactyly'.
Initially, it meant 'yoked toes' (literally a yoke-like arrangement of digits); over time it has remained a technical term describing that specific toe arrangement in animals.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a condition or arrangement of toes in which two toes point forward and two point backward, common in certain birds (e.g., parrots, woodpeckers) and aiding in grasping.
Many parrots exhibit zygodactyly, which helps them grasp branches and manipulate objects.
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Noun 2
the state or trait of being zygodactyl; used in zoological descriptions to classify foot morphology.
Zygodactyly is an important diagnostic feature in identifying certain bird families.
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Last updated: 2025/09/17 08:40