digitigrade

adjective

dig·​i·​ti·​grade ˈdi-jə-tə-ˌgrād How to pronounce digitigrade (audio)
: walking on the digits with the posterior of the foot more or less raised

Word History

Etymology

French, from digiti- + -grade

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of digitigrade was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near digitigrade

Cite this Entry

“Digitigrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digitigrade. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

digitigrade

adjective
dig·​i·​ti·​grade ˈdij-ət-ə-ˌgrād How to pronounce digitigrade (audio)
: walking or adapted for walking on the digits with the posterior of the foot more or less raised
cats and dogs are digitigrade mammals
compare plantigrade
digitigrade noun
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