opposable
[uh-poh-zuh-buh l]
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Origin of opposable
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for opposable
Contemporary Examples of opposable
If frogs had opposable thumbs, Kermit would be twiddling them when Muppets Most Wanted begins.
Historical Examples of opposable
All the digits are armed with claws, and the pollex and hallux are not opposable.
The Vertebrate SkeletonSidney H. Reynolds
The thumb of their anterior paws is nearly as opposable as that of the posterior.
The Desert WorldArthur Mangin
It has an opposable hallux and a non-hairy, but scaly, tail.
The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., MammaliaFrank Evers Beddard
The great-toe is large and can be moved from and to the side of the other digits, but is not opposable to them.
A Hand-book to the Primates, Volume 1 (of 2)Henry O. Forbes
What would man's power be as a tool-using animal without his strong, opposable thumb?
The Last HarvestJohn Burroughs
opposable
- capable of being opposed
- Also: apposable (of the thumb of primates, esp man) capable of being moved into a position facing the other digits so as to be able to touch the ends of each
- capable of being placed opposite something else
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for opposable
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper