How Do You Spell ADACTYLUS?

Pronunciation: [ɐdˈaktɪləs] (IPA)

Adactylus is a term used in biology to describe an animal that lacks digits or limbs. The spelling of this word can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /əˈdæktɪləs/. The "a" at the beginning is pronounced as a schwa sound, followed by the stressed syllable "dak". The "t" and "k" sounds blend together to make a "kt" sound. The next syllable is pronounced as "i" with a short "i" sound, followed by "ləs" with a schwa sound at the end. Knowing the IPA phonetic transcription can help with proper pronunciation and spelling of challenging words.

ADACTYLUS Meaning and Definition

1. Adactylus is a term derived from the Greek words "a-" meaning without, and "dactylos" meaning finger or toe. In the context of zoology, adactylus refers to a characteristic or condition of an organism that lacks digits or fingers. This term is predominantly used in the field of herpetology to describe reptiles or amphibians that possess limbs without any appendages at the end, such as claws or toes.

   The adactyly trait can be observed in certain species of lizards or salamanders, where their limbs are smooth and without any developed digits. The absence of fingers or toes in adactylus animals can affect their locomotion, as they do not possess the gripping ability or dexterity that digits provide. Consequently, these creatures may have adapted alternative methods for movement such as undulating or crawling.

   Adactylus can also be used metaphorically or in a broader sense to describe any organism or even an individual lacking certain fundamental attributes or qualities. In a more general context, it may refer to the absence or deficiency of a specific characteristic, feature, or ability, whether physical, functional, or metaphorical.

   Overall, adactylus refers to the anatomical condition of lacking digits, predominantly observed in certain reptiles and amphibians, and can also be used metaphorically to denote the absence or deficiency of a quality or attribute.

2. A monster without fingers or toes.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for ADACTYLUS

• adactylis
• adactylius
• adactylos
• adactylous
• zdactylus
• sdactylus
• wdactylus
• qdactylus
• asactylus
• axactylus
• acactylus
• afactylus
• aractylus
• aeactylus
• adzctylus
• adsctylus
• adwctylus
• adqctylus
• adaxtylus
• adavtylus

Etymology of ADACTYLUS

The word "adactylus" derives from Ancient Greek. "Adactylus" (ἄδακτυλος) literally means "without fingers" or "fingerless" in Greek. It is a combination of the prefix "a-" (meaning "without") and "daktýlos" (δάκτυλος) which means "finger".