syndactylism

/sin'dæktilizm/

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Word: Syndactylism

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Syndactylism is a condition that some people are born with. It means that two or more fingers or toes are connected by skin, making them look like they are webbed together. This can happen partially (only a little bit of connection) or totally (fully connected).

Usage Instructions

• When to use it: You can use the word "syndactylism" when talking about medical conditions, genetics, or physical development.
• How to use it in a sentence: "The doctor explained that syndactylism is a birth defect where the fingers are joined together."

Example Sentence

"Many children with syndactylism can have surgery to separate their fingers or toes for better function."

Advanced Usage

In a medical or biological context, you might discuss syndactylism in relation to its genetic causes or its occurrence in animals, as well as its impact on a person's dexterity or movement.

Word Variants

• Syndactyly: This is another term that is often used interchangeably with syndactylism. It can refer to the same condition and is sometimes used in a broader context.

Different Meanings

• Medical Context: In medical discussions, syndactylism specifically refers to the webbing of digits (fingers and toes).
• General Usage: The word is not commonly used outside of medical or biological discussions, so it does not have many different meanings in everyday language.

Synonyms

• Webbed fingers or toes
• Joined fingers or toes

Related Terms

• Polydactyly: A condition where a person has extra fingers or toes.
• Amniotic Band Syndrome: A condition that can cause syndactylism among other birth defects.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs related to syndactylism, as it is a technical term used mainly in medical discussions.

Summary

Syndactylism is a condition characterized by the webbing of fingers or toes, and it can be a fascinating topic in discussions about human development and genetics.

Academic

Noun

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

Synonyms

• syndactyly