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Glite Dictionary
🦌 A hoofed mammal 🐾 Even-toed hoofed
artiodactyl

artiodactyl

1 9.9
A hoofed animal with an even number of toes, like a cow or sheep
  • noun
  • /ˌɑrtiˈɑdɪktəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : artiodáctilo
  • Biologists often study artiodactyls to understand their adaptations to different habitats and climates.

Examples

  • Why have artiodactyls evolved these extraordinary structures, many of which are so heavy and unwieldy?

    Academic text (2011)

  • Artiodactyls are hoofed animals that have an even number of toes, including species like deer and cattle.

  • The museum exhibit featured fossils of various artiodactyls, showcasing their evolutionary traits over millions of years.

Synonyms

even-toed ungulate
vsartiodactyl
  • Specialized
9.3

A mammal with hooves that walks on an even number of toes, like cows or deer

is the scientific order name for that same group
artiodactyl mammal
vsartiodactyl
  • Specialized
9.6

A mammal with hooves and an even number of toes, like deer, pigs or camels

is the strict taxonomic term rather than a general descriptor
hoofed mammal
vsartiodactyl
3.9

A mammal that has hooves like a horse or deer

is narrower, requiring even-numbered toes and placement in one scientific order

Compounds

artiodactyl mammal
  • Specialized
9.6

A mammal with hooves and an even number of toes, like deer, pigs or camels

Surface Forms

artiodactyl singular
artiodactyls plural

Morphology

artiodactyl = dactyl (opaque) = artio + dactyl

Both parts are technical Greek combining forms ('artio-' is not a standalone English word and 'dactyl' is specialized), so learners cannot readily derive the meaning.

Etymology

Artiodactyl comes from Greek parts artios meaning 'even' and dactylos meaning 'finger' or 'toe', so it literally says 'even-toed'. That's why artiodactyl as a noun names hoofed mammals that have an even number of toes on each foot.