Digitiform

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈdɪd͡ʒɪtɪˌfɔː(ɹ)m/

Definitions

1. Resembling a finger or having a finger-like shape is characteristic of certain anatomical structures or features in various organisms
2. Characteristic of or related to structures that resemble fingers in form or morphology, often seen in biological contexts
3. Pertaining to the configuration or appearance that is similar to that of a digit, frequently used in describing anatomical or botanical forms

Etymology: "Digitiform" is a plain technical formation: "digit" (from Latin "digitus," finger, which also gave English "digit" in its sense of a finger or toe) plus the combining element "-iform." That suffix comes from Latin "-fōrmis," meaning "having the shape of," itself built from "forma," shape, and the Latin "-i-" linking vowel that joins the two parts. The suffix "-iform" carries the older Greek idea of form too, since Latin "forma" was itself used to render Greek "morphḗ," shape. English scientists and anatomists have coined many words this way, so "digitiform" follows a common pattern in scientific vocabulary rather than an older everyday usage.

Synonyms: finger-like