Standard Lemma guide

syndactyly

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌsɪnˈdæk.tə.li/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The normal condition, in some animals and birds, of having fused digits.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: biology, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The anomalous condition, in humans, of having some fingers or toes fused with a web.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: medicine, sciences, teratology

Examples

  • 2012, Donald S. Bae, Chapter 47: Release of Simple Syndactyly, John M. Flynn, Sam W. Wiesel (editors), Operative Techniques in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Wolters Kluwer (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins), page 326, • Syndactyly refers to the failure of separation between adjacent digits, resulting in "webbed" fingers. • Congenital syndactyly is classified according to the extent of digital involvement and the character of the conjoined tissue. • Complete syndactyly extends to the digital tips (FIG 1A), whereas incomplete syndactyly ends proximal to the fingertips (FIG 1B). • Simple syndactyly refers to digits connected only by skin and soft tissue. Complex syndactyly denotes bony fusions between adjacent phalanges. • Complicated syndactyly refers to the interposition of accessory phalanges or abnormal bones between digits.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

birth defect in which there is partial or total webbing connecting two or more fingers or toes

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: syndactylism

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: birth defect, congenital anomaly, congenital defect, congenital disorder, congenital abnormality

History

Etymology

From syn- + Ancient Greek δάκτυλος (dáktulos, “finger”) + -y.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: daktylosymfýza — having fused digits
  • Czech: syndaktylie — having fused digits
  • Finnish: syndaktylia — having fused digits
  • Finnish: syndaktylia — human condition
  • Icelandic: samtáun — human condition
  • Icelandic: samfingrun — human condition