'dactyle' definitions:

Definition of 'dactyle'

From: GCIDE
  • dactyl \dac"tyl\ (d[a^]k"t[i^]l), n. [L. dactylus, Gr. da`ktylos a finger, a dactyl. Cf. Digit.]
  • 1. (Pros.) A poetical foot of three sylables (--- [crescent] [crescent]), one long followed by two short, or one accented followed by two unaccented; as, L. t["e]gm[i^]n[e^], E. mer[bprime]ciful; -- so called from the similarity of its arrangement to that of the joints of a finger. [Written also dactyle.] [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Zool.) (a) A finger or toe; a digit. (b) The claw or terminal joint of a leg of an insect or crustacean. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'dactyle'