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daktylos

daktylos

9.9
An ancient Greek measure of length about the width of a finger
  • noun
  • /ˈdæktɪloʊs/
  • Archaic
: dáctilo
  • One daktylos is approximately one centimeter.

Examples

  • A daktylos was approximately the width of an adult's finger in Ancient Greece.

  • The ancient architect used a daktylos as a standard measure in his design.

  • Measurements on the old tablet are given in daktyloi rather than modern units.

  • The daktylos was used in ancient measurements.

  • A daktylos was approximately the width of an adult's finger in Ancient Greece.

  • The ancient architect used a daktylos as a standard measure in his design.

  • Measurements on the old tablet are given in daktyloi rather than modern units.

Synonyms

finger
vsdaktylos
  • Archaic
6 9.8

A small measure about the width of a finger

is defined more precisely as an ancient one centimeter unit
finger's breadth
vsdaktylos
  • Archaic
1 8.4

A small distance equal to the width of a finger, often used to show a very small amount

is a specific ancient unit near one centimeter rather than a simple width measure
fingerbreadth
vsdaktylos
  • Archaic
1 9.9

The width of a finger used as a quick measure

is a fixed ancient measure of about one centimeter not just a general gauge
digit
vsdaktylos
  • Archaic
9.9

An old small measure of length about three quarters of an inch

is a smaller ancient unit of about one centimeter rather than two

Surface Forms

daktylos singular
daktyloses plural
daktyloi plural

Etymology

Daktylos comes from Greek and means 'finger', so it was used as a small unit of length about the width of a finger. A helpful way to remember it is the English word digit, which also comes from 'finger' and 'number', because a daktylos is literally a 'finger's breadth'.