syndactyly

noun

syn·​dac·​ty·​ly (ˌ)sin-ˈdak-tə-lē How to pronounce syndactyly (audio)
: a union of two or more digits that is normal in some animals (such as various marsupials) and that in humans occurs as an inherited condition or as a part of several genetic disorders and is marked by webbing of two or more fingers or toes and sometimes bony fusion of adjacent digits

Examples of syndactyly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The same may be true of developmental disorders — like syndactyly. Natalie Angier, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'syndactyly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin syndactylia, from syn- + Greek daktylos finger

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of syndactyly was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near syndactyly

Cite this Entry

“Syndactyly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syndactyly. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

syndactyly

noun
syn·​dac·​ty·​ly -lē How to pronounce syndactyly (audio)
plural syndactylies
: a union of two or more digits that is normal in some animals and that in humans occurs as an inherited condition or as a part of several genetic disorders and is marked by webbing of two or more fingers or toes and sometimes bony fusion of adjacent digits

More from Merriam-Webster on syndactyly

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!