digiti-

1. a combining form meaning “finger,” used in the formation of compound words:

   digitinervate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of digiti-¹

Combining form representing Latin digitus

Example Sentences

But here too we observed that when the skin and flesh was taken off, the fore-fins did very well represent an Arm, there being the Scapula, an os Humeri, the Ulna, and Radius, and bone of the Carpus, the Metacarp, and 5 digiti curiously jointed...

From Literature

In the repetitive-nerve-stimulation test, a tiny electrode is placed over the muscle, in this case the abductor digiti minimi, the muscle that moves the pinkie finger.

From New York Times

An early version of fingerspelling's alphabet was included in a Daniel Defoe book A pamphlet called Digiti Lingua by an anonymous author first showed illustrations of what turned into the present language in 1698.

From BBC

A book called Digiti Lingua by an anonymous author, first showed illustrations of what turned into the present language in 1698.

From BBC

Pedes validi, digito exteriore ad digiti medii basin annexo.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use digiti-

What does digiti- mean?

The combining form digiti- is used like a prefix meaning “finger.” It is very occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in botany.

The form digiti- comes from Latin digitus, meaning “finger” or “toe.” English digit, meaning “finger or toe,” comes from this same Latin root. The Greek translation of digitus is dáktulos, which is the source of combining forms such as -dactyl, -dactylous, and -dactyly.

Examples of digiti-

A term that features the combining form digiti- is digitiform, meaning “like a finger.”

The digiti– portion of the word means “finger.” The -form part of the word means “having the form of,” from Latin -fōrmis. Digitiform literally translates to “having the form of a finger.”

What are some words that use the combining form digiti-?

• digitigrade (using the equivalent form of digiti- in French)
• digitinervate
• digitipinnate

What are some other forms that digiti- may be commonly confused with?

• di-
• diazo-
• disco-

While the words digital or digitize are not specifically using digiti- as a combining form, they are closely related to it. Learn why digital is related to electronics at our entry for the word.

Break it down!

The word nervate means “(of leaves) having veins.” With this in mind, what kind of leaf is digitinervate?