dactyl

[ˈdæktɪl]

dactyl Definition

• 1. a metrical foot consisting of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables
• 2. a finger or toe in human beings or many other vertebrates

Using dactyl: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dactyl" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The word 'poetry' is an example of a dactyl.

• Example

  The poem's rhythm was based on dactyls and spondees.

dactyl Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for dactyl

• foot
• metrical foot

Phrases with dactyl

• dactylic hexameter

  a form of meter or rhythmic scheme in poetry consisting of six dactyls per line, often used in epic poetry

  Example

  Homer's Iliad and Odyssey are written in dactylic hexameter.

• dactylology

  the use of fingers to communicate ideas, especially by the deaf

  Example

  Dactylology is an important part of sign language.

• dactylogram

  a fingerprint

  Example

  The detective found a dactylogram at the crime scene.

Origins of dactyl

from Greek 'daktylos', meaning 'finger'

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Summary: dactyl in Brief

The term 'dactyl' [ˈdæktɪl] has two meanings. The first refers to a metrical foot in poetry consisting of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables, as in the word 'poetry.' The second refers to a finger or toe in humans or other vertebrates. Examples of the former include the dactylic hexameter, while the latter is used in scientific contexts such as anatomy and biology.