plantigrade

American  

[plan-ti-greyd] / ˈplæn tɪˌgreɪd /

adjective

1. walking on the whole sole of the foot, as humans and bears.

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noun

1. a plantigrade animal.

plantigrade British  

/ ˈplæntɪˌɡreɪd /

adjective

1. walking with the entire sole of the foot touching the ground, as, for example, man and bears

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noun

1. a plantigrade animal

plantigrade Scientific  

/ plăn′tĭ-grād′ /

1. Walking with the entire sole of the foot on the ground, as humans, bears, raccoons, and rabbits.

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Other Word Forms

• subplantigrade adjective

Etymology

Origin of plantigrade

First recorded in 1825–35; from French plantigrade (noun), from New Latin plantigradus, equivalent to Latin plant(a) “sole of the foot” + -i- + -gradus; -i-, -grade

Example Sentences

Procyonid�, prō-si-on′i-dē, n.pl. an American family of plantigrade carnivorous mammals, including raccoons and coatis.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

He is a plantigrade, walking like a man upon the soles of his feet.

From Black Bruin The Biography of a Bear by Copeland, Charles

Like them it possesses an omnivorous appetite, is plantigrade, and hibernates during cold weather.

From Fur Farming A book of Information about Fur Bearing Animals, Enclosures, Habits, Care, etc. by Harding, A. R. (Arthur Robert)

Bears are plantigrade Carnivora, but they live largely on fruit and insects.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

The badger is a plantigrade, that is, when travelling he puts down the whole of his foot, including the heel, flat on the ground.

From The Badger A Monograph by Pease, Alfred E.