-dactyl

¹ American  

1. variant of -dactylous, especially with nouns.

   pterodactyl.

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dactyl ² American  

[dak-til] / ˈdæk tɪl /

noun

1. Prosody. a foot of three syllables, one long followed by two short in quantitative meter, or one stressed followed by two unstressed in accentual meter, as in gently and humanly.

2. a finger or toe.

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Dactyl ³ American  

[dak-til] / ˈdæk tɪl /

Or Daktyl

noun

Classical Mythology.

plural

Dactyls, Dactyli

1. any of a number of beings dwelling on Mount Ida and working as metalworkers and magicians.

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dactyl British  

/ ˈdæktɪl /

noun

1. Also called: dactylic.  prosody a metrical foot of three syllables, one long followed by two short ( ) Compare bacchius

2. zoology any digit of a vertebrate

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Usage

What does -dactyl mean? The combining form -dactyl is used like a suffix with two related meanings. Depending on the context, it can mean "fingered, possessing fingers" or "toed, possessing toes." Essentially, -dactyl means "having digits." It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in anatomy and zoology.The form -dactyl comes from Greek dáktylos, meaning “finger” or “toe.” In poetry, the metrical foot known as a dactyl also derives from this same Greek root. Learn more at our entry for dactyl.What are variants of -dactyl?The form -dactyl is a variant of -dactylous, as in tetradactylous.While not a variant of -dactyl, -dactyly is also related to this form. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for these combining forms.

Etymology

Origin of dactyl¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin dactylus < Greek dáktylos finger, a dactyl, referring to the three joints of the finger

Origin of Dactyl¹

< Greek Dáktyloi ( Idaîoi ) (Idaean) craftsmen or wizards (plural of dáktylos; dactyl )

Example Sentences

This appendage is comprised of a thumblike “propodus” and a hinging “dactyl” that swings open and shut at rapid-fire speed—despite only being as wide as a human hair.

From Science Magazine

In a statement hailing their work, researchers said the robotic hand, which they’ve dubbed Dactyl, moves robots one step closer to “human-level dexterity.”

From Washington Post

As Dactyl improved at each stage of learning, its algorithm growing more adept, the challenges intensified.

From Washington Post

The video’s narrator says Dactyl’s accomplishment could also change how researchers view training general-purpose robots.

From Washington Post

OpenAI posted a video on YouTube showing Dactyl at various points in the robot’s training arc.

From Washington Post