polydactyl

[ pol-ee-dak-til ]

/ ˌpɒl iˈdæk tɪl /

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adjective Also pol·y·dac·tyl·ous.

having many or several digits.

having more than the normal number of fingers or toes.

noun

a polydactyl animal.

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Origin of polydactyl

From the Greek word polydáktylos, dating back to 1860–65. See poly-, -dactyl

Words nearby polydactyl

polyculture, polycyclic, polycystic, polycystic ovary syndrome, polycythaemia, polydactyl, polydactyly, polydaemonism, polydemic, Polydeuces, polydipsia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use polydactyl in a sentence

Even in pure-bred polydactyl races, consequently, the character "extra-toe" does not uniformly appear in the offspring.
Inheritance of Characteristics in Domestic Fowl|Charles Benedict Davenport
It is also clear that the offspring of Silkie crosses are more apt to be polydactyl than those of Houdan crosses.
Inheritance of Characteristics in Domestic Fowl|Charles Benedict Davenport
Let us consider next what happens when a polydactyl individual is crossed with a normal individual.
Inheritance of Characteristics in Domestic Fowl|Charles Benedict Davenport
This inquiry is suggested by Castle's study (1906, p. 20) of polydactyl guinea-pigs.
Inheritance of Characteristics in Domestic Fowl|Charles Benedict Davenport

British Dictionary definitions for polydactyl

polydactyl

/ (ˌpɒlɪˈdæktɪl) /

adjective Also: polydactylous

(of man and other vertebrates) having more than the normal number of digits

noun

a human or other vertebrate having more than the normal number of digits

Word Origin for polydactyl

C19: via French from Greek poludactulos many-toed; see dactyl

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