-dactylous

1. a combining form meaning “fingered, possessing fingers,” or “toed, possessing toes,” used to form compound words in which the initial element specifies the type or number of fingers or toes:

   tridactylous.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -dactylous¹

< Greek -daktylos, adj. derivative of dáktylos finger, toe; -ous

Words That use -dactylous

What does -dactylous mean?

The combining form -dactylous is used like a suffix with two related meanings. Depending on the context, it can mean “fingered, possessing fingers” or “toed, possessing toes.” Essentially, -dactylous means “having digits.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in anatomy and zoology.

The form -dactylous comes from Greek dáktylos, meaning “finger” or “toe,” combined with -ous, a suffix used to create adjectives from nouns, from Latin -ōsus, “full of.” In poetry, the metrical foot known as a dactyl also derives from this same Greek root. Learn more at our entry for dactyl.

What are variants of –dactylous?

When combined with words or word elements especially to form a noun, -dactylous becomes -dactyl, as in didactyl.

While not a variant of –dactylous, -dactyly is also related to this form. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for these combining forms.

Examples of -dactylous

One example of a scientific term that features the form -dactylous is monodactylous, “having only one digit or claw.”

You may have come across the form mono- before; it means “alone, single, one,” from Greek mónos. The form -dactylous means “having digits.” Monodactylous literally translates to “having a single digit.”

What are some words that use the combining form –dactylous?

• adactylous
• heterodactylous
• leptodactylous
• polydactylous
• syndactylous
• tetradactylous

What are some other forms that –dactylous may be commonly confused with?

• -dermatous

Break it down!

The combining form tetra- means “four.” With this in mind, what does tetradactylous mean?