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hallux

American  
[hal-uhks] / ˈhæl əks /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.
  • halluces
    plural
  1. the first or innermost digit of the foot of humans and other primates or of the hind foot of other mammals; great toe; big toe.

  2. the comparable, usually backward-directed digit in birds.


hallux British  
/ ˈhæləks /

noun

  1. the first digit on the hind foot of a mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian; the big toe of man

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of hallux

1825–35; < Late Latin ( h ) allux, for Latin hallus, by association with pollex thumb


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“This would allow me to treat refugees with minor disabilities, flat feet or hallux valgus toes, or people with diabetes who need soft soles,” he said.

From New York Times ● Aug. 27, 2021

And not just because you can go to the doctor and tell her that the distal phalanx of your hallux hurts like hell after you accidentally closed a door on your foot.

From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2015

These enlarged foot claws and mobile hallux suggest that Balaur might have have been good at climbing and perching.

From Scientific American ● Jun. 20, 2015

Its feet are only superficially human-like, the enlarged, only semi-divergent hallux and broad heel representing strong terrestrial specialisation in a primate that started its terrestrial career with a typical hominid foot like that of orangutans.

From Scientific American ● Aug. 4, 2013

The hands and feet, too, were more human in shape, though on the latter the hallux still retained its prehensile character, which perhaps is necessary to a tree dweller.

From Final Proof or the Value of Evidence by R. Ottolengui

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