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Glite Dictionary
pollex

pollex

9.9
A short, thick finger at the inner edge of the hand, like the thumb in people
  • noun
  • /ˈpɑːlɛks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pulgar
  • The surgeon carefully examined the injury to the patient's pollex.

Examples

  • The human pollex is opposable.

  • She injured her pollex while playing basketball.

  • In many mammals, the pollex is reduced or even absent.

  • The opposable pollex gives humans the dexterity to grasp objects precisely.

  • The pollex of the human hand is opposable, allowing us to grasp objects easily.

  • If you look closely, you'll notice that the pollex is shorter and thicker than the other fingers.

  • In many primates, the pollex is highly flexible, aiding in climbing and foraging.

Synonyms

thumb
vspollex
483 1.0

A short thick finger at the side of the hand that helps you hold things

is a wider anatomical term for the innermost hand or forelimb digit
digit
vspollex
22 3.0

A finger or toe on a human limb

is specifically the short, thick innermost part of a hand or forelimb

Surface Forms

pollex singular
pollices plural

Etymology

Pollex comes from the Latin pollex, which meant 'thumb'. So pollex is the technical name for the thick, short innermost finger that helps us grasp and hold things.