plantigrade

[ plan-ti-greyd ]

adjective

1. walking on the whole sole of the foot, as humans and bears.

noun

1. a plantigrade animal.

plantigrade

/ ˈplæntɪˌɡreɪd /

adjective

1. walking with the entire sole of the foot touching the ground, as, for example, man and bears

noun

1. a plantigrade animal

plantigrade

/ plăn′tĭ-grād′ /

1. Walking with the entire sole of the foot on the ground, as humans, bears, raccoons, and rabbits.

Other Words From

• sub·planti·grade adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plantigrade¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from French plantigrade (noun), from New Latin plantigradus, equivalent to Latin plant(a) “sole of the foot” + -i- + -gradus; -i-, -grade

Word History and Origins

Origin of plantigrade¹

C19: via French from New Latin plantigradus, from Latin planta sole of the foot + gradus a step

Example Sentences

Bears are plantigrade Carnivora, but they live largely on fruit and insects.

From Project Gutenberg

The clavicle is rudimentary, but, as an example of the complete development of this bone in plantigrade quadrupeds, we may cite the marmoset.

From Project Gutenberg

The badger is a plantigrade, that is, when travelling he puts down the whole of his foot, including the heel, flat on the ground.

From Project Gutenberg

Now that his cub has returned he probably doesn't care for the other plantigrades of his kind.

From Project Gutenberg

The short feet of the penguins are quite plantigrade, in adaptation to which habit the metatarsals lie in one plane and are incompletely co-ossified, thus presenting a pseudo-primitive condition.

From Project Gutenberg