digitigrade

adjective

dig·i·ti·grade ˈdi-jə-tə-ˌgrād

: 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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Digitigrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digitigrade. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

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Medical Definition

digitigrade

adjective

dig·i·ti·grade ˈdij-ət-ə-ˌgrād

: 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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