dactylic

1 of 2

adjective

dac·​tyl·​ic (ˈ)dak-¦ti-lik How to pronounce dactylic (audio)
: having the form of a dactyl
a dactylic foot
: of or consisting of dactyls
dactylic verse
dactylically adverb

dactylic

2 of 2

noun

dac·​tyl·​ic (ˈ)dak-¦ti-lik How to pronounce dactylic (audio)
plural -s
: a dactylic verse or measure

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin dactylicus, from Greek daktylikos, from daktylos dactyl + -ikos -ic

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Cite this Entry

“Dactylic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dactylic. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

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