Anisodactyle

/ænˌɪsoʊˈdæktaɪl/ noun

Definition

An alternative form of anisodactyl; an animal with unequal or asymmetrical digit arrangement.

Etymology

From Greek aniso- (unequal) plus dactyle (variant spelling of dactyl, finger/toe). This is a variant spelling used in some older zoological texts.

Kelly Says

The spelling anisodactyle versus anisodactyl is like how we spell 'donut' and 'doughnut'—both are correct, but one form eventually becomes preferred, and scientists gradually shifted toward the -il ending for consistency with other zoological terms.

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