dactyly

D2A1C3T1Y4L1Y4
/ˈdæk.təˌli/

noun

The number and arrangement of digits (fingers and toes) on the hands, feet, or (sometimes) wings, of a tetrapod animal.

OriginAncient Greek δάκτυλος →
Scrabble 16
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Meanings

noundactyly (plural dactylies)

plural dactylies

  1. biologyThe number and arrangement of digits (fingers and toes) on the hands, feet, or (sometimes) wings, of a tetrapod animal.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekδάκτυλος“finger”
  2. Englishdactyly

From Ancient Greek δάκτυλος (dáktulos, “finger”), equivalent to dactyl- + -y.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

dactyly. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dactyly

MLA

“dactyly.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dactyly. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dactyly,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dactyly.

Source: dactyly on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.