zygodactyl

[ zahy-guh-dak-til, zig-uh- ]
/ ˌzaɪ gəˈdæk tɪl, ˌzɪg ə- /

adjective

Also zy·go·dac·ty·lous. (of a bird) having the toes of each foot arranged in pairs, with two toes in front and two behind.

noun

a zygodactyl bird.

Origin of zygodactyl

First recorded in 1825–35; zygo- + -dactyl

OTHER WORDS FROM zygodactyl

zy·go·dac·tyl·ism, noun

Words nearby zygodactyl

zyban, zydeco, zygal, zygapophysis, zygo-, zygodactyl, zygodactyly, zygogenesis, zygoma, zygomatic, zygomatic arch

Example sentences from the Web for zygodactylous

  • Scansores, or Climbing, frequently called Zygodactyli or Zygodactylous birds.

    Everyday Objects |W. H. Davenport Adams

British Dictionary definitions for zygodactylous

zygodactyl
/ (ˌzaɪɡəʊˈdæktɪl, ˌzɪɡə-) /

adjective Also: zygodactylous

(of the feet of certain birds) having the first and fourth toes directed backwards and the second and third forwards

noun

a zygodactyl bird Compare heterodactyl

Derived forms of zygodactyl

zygodactylism, noun