dactylology

American  

[dak-tuh-lol-uh-jee] / ˌdæk təˈlɒl ə dʒi /

noun

plural

dactylologies

1. the technique of communicating by signs made with the fingers, especially in the manual alphabets used by the Deaf.

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dactylology British  

/ ˌdæktɪˈlɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the method of using manual sign language, as in communicating with deaf people

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Etymology

Origin of dactylology

First recorded in 1650–60; dactylo- + -logy

Example Sentences

What advantage is there, not found in the prevailing methods of communication with the deaf, i.e., by gestures, dactylology, speech and speech-reading, and writing?

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 531, March 6, 1886 by Various

To the general public, dactylology or finger spelling is the sign-language, or the basis of that language, but to the profession there is no relation between the two methods of communication.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 531, March 6, 1886 by Various

Signs, dactylology, speech reading, and the written and printed word are all dependent upon the eye for their value as educational instruments.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 531, March 6, 1886 by Various

It is certain, however, that he made no use of the sign-language, though there is some evidence that he invented and practised a system of syllabic dactylology.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 01, No. 06, April, 1858 by Various

So long as this is true, dactylology can hardly claim to be more than one of the elements of a system of instruction for the deaf.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 531, March 6, 1886 by Various

Related Words

• finger alphabet
• fingerspelling