anisodactylous

[ an-ahy-suh-dak-tl-uhs, an-ahy- ]

adjective

1. Zoology. having the toes unlike, or unequal in number.
2. Ornithology. having three toes directed forward and one backward.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anisodactylous¹

aniso- + -dactylous

Example Sentences

I seldom say a harsh word to any one, but I was not master of myself then, and I spoke right out and called him an anisodactylous plesiosaurian conchyliaceous Ornithorhyncus, and rotten to the heart with holoaophotal subterranean extemporaneousness.

From Project Gutenberg

He read it: "Considerations concerning the alleged subterranean holophotal extemporaneousness of the conchyliaceous superimbrication of the Ornithorhyncus, as foreshadowed by the unintelligibility of its plesiosaurian anisodactylous aspects."

From Project Gutenberg

One day there came a note from the editor requiring me to write ten pages—on this revolting text: "Considerations concerning the alleged subterranean holophotal extemporaneousness of the conchyliaceous superimbrication of the Ornithorhyncus, as foreshadowed by the unintelligibility of its plesiosaurian anisodactylous aspects."

From Project Gutenberg