syndactyly

noun

syn·dac·ty·ly (ˌ)sin-ˈdak-tə-lē

: 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The same may be true of developmental disorders — like syndactyly. —

Natalie Angier, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'syndactyly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Syndactyly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syndactyly. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.

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Medical Definition

syndactyly

noun

syn·dac·ty·ly -lē

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