unguis

[uhng-gwis]

noun

plural

ungues 

1. a nail, claw, or hoof.

2. Botany.,  the clawlike base of certain petals.

unguis

/ ˈʌŋɡwɪs /

noun

1. a nail, claw, or hoof, or the part of the digit giving rise to it

2. the clawlike base of certain petals

Word History and Origins

Origin of unguis¹

1685–95; < Latin unguis a nail, claw, hoof; akin to Greek ónyx

Word History and Origins

Origin of unguis¹

C18: from Latin

Example Sentences

In the horse it arises, by a small tendon, from a tubercle which occupies the external surface of the os unguis, or lachrymal bone.

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It is a thin, clear white shell, and is well named, from unguis, a finger-nail, which it much resembles.

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Nail: a tarsal claw: specifically the stout pointed claws in predatory Heteroptera = unguis.

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Secondly and thirdly, Bignonia unguis with its close allies, and Cardiospermum; but their tendrils are so short that their contraction could hardly occur, and would be quite superfluous.

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The malar bone, and the os unguis or lachrymal, are more or less developed according to the species considered.

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Related Words

• fingernail 
• paw 
• tentacle