First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
dactyl
noun dac·tyl \ˈdak-təl, -ˌtil\
Definition of DACTYL
: a metrical foot consisting of one long and two short syllables or of one stressed and two unstressed syllables (as in tenderly)
— dac·tyl·ic \dak-ˈti-lik\ adjective or noun
See dactyl defined for kids ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of DACTYL
Middle English dactile, from Latin dactylus, from Greek daktylos, literally, finger; from the fact that the first of three syllables is the longest, like the joints of the finger
Rhymes with DACTYL
Medical Dictionary
dactyl
noun dac·tyl \ˈdak-təl\
Medical Definition of DACTYL
: a finger or toe
Learn More About DACTYL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: dactyl-Previous Word in the Dictionary: DacrymycetalesAll Words Near: dactyl
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up dactyl? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).