polydactyly
noun
poly·dac·ty·ly
ˌpä-lē-ˈdak-tə-lē 
: the condition of having more than the normal number of fingers or toes
Examples of polydactyly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This condition, known as polydactyly, affects roughly two in every 1,000 newborns.
—
Tom Roseberry, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2019
Yet this is not always the case: some people with polydactyly decide not to have their additional fingers removed.
—Tom Roseberry, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2019
State Veterinarian Susan Keller said the extra limbs could possibly be one of two similar genetic disorders called polydactyly or polymelia.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 13 May 2017
State Veterinarian Susan Keller said the calf may have been born with one of two disorders: polymelia, where extra limbs are often smaller or shrunken, or polydactyly, which is the result of genetic combinations involving recessive genes.
—CBS News, 15 May 2017
To determine how common polydactyly was among the Chacos, the researchers conducted an analysis of 96 skeletons excavated from Pueblo Bonito during prior expeditions.
—Scott S. Warren, National Geographic, 25 July 2016
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Tom Roseberry, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2019
Yet this is not always the case: some people with polydactyly decide not to have their additional fingers removed.
—Tom Roseberry, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2019
State Veterinarian Susan Keller said the extra limbs could possibly be one of two similar genetic disorders called polydactyly or polymelia.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 13 May 2017
State Veterinarian Susan Keller said the calf may have been born with one of two disorders: polymelia, where extra limbs are often smaller or shrunken, or polydactyly, which is the result of genetic combinations involving recessive genes.
—CBS News, 15 May 2017
To determine how common polydactyly was among the Chacos, the researchers conducted an analysis of 96 skeletons excavated from Pueblo Bonito during prior expeditions.
—Scott S. Warren, National Geographic, 25 July 2016
Cite this Entry
“Polydactyly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polydactyly. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polydactyly
noun
poly·dac·ty·ly
ˌpäl-i-ˈdak-tə-lē
: the condition of having extra fingers or toes
Medical Definition
polydactyly
noun
poly·dac·ty·ly
-ˈdak-tə-lē
plural polydactylies
: the condition of having more than the normal number of toes or fingers
called also polydactylia, polydactylism
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