PREHENSILE Meaning and
Definition
-
The adjective "prehensile" refers to the capability possessed by certain animals or body parts to grasp, hold or manipulate objects by wrapping or curling around them. It is derived from the Latin word "prehendere," meaning "to seize" or "to grasp." This term is primarily used to describe the characteristics of an animal's tail, limb, or appendage which is adapted to perform prehension—the act of taking hold of something.
In zoology, "prehensile" usually pertains to tails, fingers, or appendages that possess a high degree of flexibility, strength, and dexterity, enabling them to securely grasp objects or support the weight of the animal itself. Examples of animals with prehensile tails include certain monkeys like spider monkeys and howler monkeys, as well as some opossums and chameleons. These appendages have evolved to serve various purposes, such as climbing, swinging, feeding, or simply hanging from branches.
The trait of prehensility is considered advantageous for animals living in arboreal or aerial environments, aiding them in maneuvering through their habitats, obtaining food, avoiding predators, and even interacting socially. In humans, while our hands do not possess prehensile characteristics in the same way as some animals, they are highly dexterous and have opposable thumbs, allowing for a high degree of grasping ability and manipulation.
Overall, the term "prehensile" describes the incredible adaptability and specialized features that enable certain animals or body parts to efficiently grasp and manipulate objects, serving specific purposes in their environments.
-
Adapted for taking hold of or grasping.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
-
Adapted for seizing or laying hold, as the hands, or the tails of some monkeys.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PREHENSILE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for PREHENSILE
Etymology of PREHENSILE
The word "prehensile" derives from the Latin term "prehendere", which means "to grasp" or "to seize". It combines the prefix "pre-", meaning "before" or "in advance", with "hendere", meaning "to grasp". The concept of prehensile refers to the ability of an organism to seize or grasp objects, usually with a specialized body part such as a tail or limb.
Similar spelling words for PREHENSILE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
