zygodactyl

adjective

zy·go·dac·tyl ˌzī-gə-ˈdak-tᵊl

: having the toes arranged two in front and two behind

—used of a bird

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary zyg- + Greek daktylos toe

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of zygodactyl was in 1831

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Browse Nearby Words

Zygocactus

zygodactyl

Zygodactylae

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Zygodactyl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zygodactyl. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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Medical Definition

zygodactyl

adjective

zy·go·dac·tyl ˌzī-gə-ˈdak-tᵊl

: syndactyl

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