artiodactyl

American  

[ahr-tee-oh-dak-til] / ˌɑr ti oʊˈdæk tɪl /

adjective

1. Zoology. having an even number of toes or digits on each foot.

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noun

1. a hoofed, even-toed mammal of the order Artiodactyla, comprising the pigs, hippopotamuses, camels, deer, giraffes, pronghorns, sheep, goats, antelope, and cattle.

artiodactyl British  

/ ˌɑːtɪəʊˈdæktɪl /

noun

1. any placental mammal of the order Artiodactyla , having hooves with an even number of toes; an even-toed ungulate. The order includes pigs, hippopotamuses, camels, deer, cattle, and antelopes

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the order Artiodactyla

artiodactyl Scientific  

/ är′tē-ō-dăk′təl /

1. Any of various hoofed mammals of the order Artiodactyla, having an even number of toes on each foot. Artiodactyls include the pig, sheep, ox, deer, giraffe, and hippopotamus.

2. Also called even-toed ungulate

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Other Word Forms

• artiodactylous adjective

Etymology

Origin of artiodactyl

From New Latin, dating back to 1840–50; artio-, dactyl

Example Sentences

Sus, artiodactyl and omnivorous, has not always been so popular.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the artiodactyl foot, the reduction resulted in the gradual diminution of the two outer of the four remaining toes, the third and fourth doing all the work, and thus increasing in size and power.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John

One leading to the existing perissodactyl foot, and the other, apparently later, resulting in the artiodactyl type.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John

Bones of the foot of four different forms of the artiodactyl type 187 83.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John

On the other hand, progressive modifications of the artiodactyl feet may be traced geologically up to the different stages presented by living ruminants, in some of which it has proceeded further than in others.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John