Definition of tridactyl in English:
tridactyl
adjective trʌɪˈdaktɪltrīˈdaktl
Zoology (of a vertebrate limb) having three toes or fingers.
Example sentencesExamples
- Podokesaurid (= Coelophysid) theropods are indicated by the presence of numerous small to medium-large sized tridactyl footprints (Grallator and larger forms).
- The foot is functionally tridactyl, with digits II - IV bound together and largely functioning as a single unit.
- In the foot, the fifth toe was reduced to a single metatarsal, and the first toe was reduced and raised off the ground, leaving a functionally tridactyl foot.
- Ornithopod prints are nearly always tridactyl with three stout and broadly spreading toes so that the resulting footprint has the outline of a trefoil.
Origin
Early 19th century: from tri- 'three' + Greek daktulos 'finger'.