Decadactylous

/ˌdɛkəˈdæktɪləs/ adjective

Definition

Having ten fingers or toes, or ten finger-like or toe-like parts.

Etymology

From Greek 'deca-' (ten) + 'daktylos' (finger or toe). This scientific term combines the Greek counting prefix with the anatomical term for digits, used in biology and zoology to describe organisms or body parts with exactly ten digits.

Kelly Says

Most humans are decadactylous, but many animals aren't—octopuses have eight arms, and some birds have only four visible toes on each foot. Scientists needed this word to precisely describe the ten-digit condition across the entire animal kingdom.

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