dactyl
/ˈdæktɪl/
noun
- A metrical foot in poetry consisting of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables (e.g., 'elephant').
- The word 'elephant' is a natural dactyl because the stress falls on the first syllable.
- Many lines in ancient Greek and Latin epic poems are written in dactylic hexameter, which uses the dactyl as its basic unit.
- The poet used a dactyl at the beginning of the line to create a galloping rhythm.
- A digit (finger or toe), especially in zoology or anatomy.
- Each dactyl of the gecko is covered in tiny hairs that help it climb.
- Birds have three forward-facing dactyls and one backward-facing dactyl on each foot.
- The fossil showed an extra dactyl on the forelimb of the ancient reptile.