What does polydactylism mean?
Polydactylism is the medical term for a person or animal having more fingers or toes than the usual number. The condition is most often present at birth and may occur by itself, be inherited as part of a genetic syndrome, or occur alongside other developmental or medical conditions. It can affect the hands, the feet, or both, and the extra digits may vary considerably in shape and usefulness. In everyday discussion, the shorter and more familiar term polydactyly is often preferred, but polydactylism is especially useful in medical and scientific contexts. The word combines the Greek elements poly-, meaning many, and daktulos, meaning finger, reflecting the characteristic presence of additional digits.
nounThe congenital condition of having more than the usual number of fingers or toes. It may occur on its own or as part of an inherited syndrome or another medical condition.
- The condition of having extra fingers or toes, usually from birth.
"The newborn was diagnosed with polydactylism after the medical team discovered six fingers on one hand."
"Genetic testing indicated that the child's polydactylism was part of an inherited syndrome."
"In rare cases, polydactylism can be associated with broader developmental conditions."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon because the term is normally used in medical or scientific discussion for an individual condition.
"The clinical study compared several forms of polydactylisms in affected families."
Polydactylism turns the human hand or foot into a reminder that the standard count of five fingers is only an ordinary pattern, not a biological law.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does polydactylism come from?
The word was formed in the 19th century from Greek poly-, meaning many, and daktylos, meaning finger, with the suffix -ism indicating a condition. Its cognate English words include dactyl and polydactyl, as well as polydactyly. The terminology reflects the underlying anatomical feature of the condition: the presence of more fingers or toes than is typical.
Related word forms
How polydactylism is actually used
This is a formal medical term. In general writing, polydactyly is more common, while polydactylism may be used when discussing the condition as a subject of study or classification.
Easily confused with polydactylism
Polydactyly and polydactylism both refer to the presence of extra fingers or toes, with polydactyly being the more commonly used medical term and polydactylism often emphasizing the condition or its study.