digitigrade

adjective

dig·​i·​ti·​grade ˈdi-jə-tə-ˌgrād How to pronounce digitigrade (audio)
: walking on the digits with the posterior of the foot more or less raised

Word History

Etymology

French, from digiti- + -grade

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of digitigrade was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near digitigrade

Cite this Entry

“Digitigrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digitigrade. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

digitigrade

adjective
dig·​i·​ti·​grade ˈdij-ət-ə-ˌgrād How to pronounce digitigrade (audio)
: walking or adapted for walking on the digits with the posterior of the foot more or less raised
cats and dogs are digitigrade mammals
compare plantigrade
digitigrade noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!