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Glite Dictionary
heterodactyl

heterodactyl

9.9
A bird foot with the first two toes pointing backward and the other two pointing forward
  • adjective
  • /ˌhɛtərəˈdæktɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : heterodáctilo
  • The trogon is known for its heterodactyl feet, which help it perch securely on branches.

Examples

  • Unlike zygodactyl birds, some species in the Trogonidae family have a heterodactyl foot arrangement.

  • Ornithologists use the term heterodactyl to describe a rare digital configuration in birds.

  • What a heterodactyl bird!

  • Look at that heterodactyl bird!

  • The trogon is known for its heterodactyl feet, which help it perch securely on branches.

  • Ornithologists use the term heterodactyl to describe a rare digital configuration in birds.

  • Unlike zygodactyl birds, some species in the Trogonidae family have a heterodactyl foot arrangement.

Compounds

heterodactyl foot
  • Specialized
9.9

A bird foot with the first two toes pointing backward and the other two pointing forward

heterodactyl foot
  • Specialized
9.9

A robotic gripper with two toes pointing backward and two pointing forward to hold oddly shaped objects

Surface Forms

heterodactyl positive

Morphology

heterodactyl = dactyl (semi-transparent) = hetero + dactyl

Formally built from the combining prefix 'hetero-' (different) + 'dactyl' (toe), but both parts are technical/Greek-derived and 'dactyl' is rare, so the meaning is regular for scientific contexts but not obvious to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The word heterodactyl combines the Greek parts hetero- meaning 'different' and dactyl meaning 'finger' or 'toe', the same dactyl in pterodactyl. So a heterodactyl bird has toes set 'different' from each other, with the first and second pointing backward and the third and fourth pointing forward, which is why the word describes that special foot arrangement.