ungual

[ uhng-gwuhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

ungual

/ ˈʌŋɡwəl; ˈʌŋɡjʊlə /

Origin of ungual¹

1825–35; < Latin ungu ( is ) a nail, claw, hoof (akin to Greek ónyx ) + -al ¹

Origin of ungual¹

C19: from Latin unguis nail, claw

The ungual phalanx progressively decreases in size from the first to the fourth.

The limbs are plantigrade, and have five digits with rather pointed ungual phalanges.

The terminal or ungual phalanges of the digits are commonly specially modified to support nails, claws, or hoofs.

In Orycteropus the pollex is absent, while the other digits are terminated by pointed ungual phalanges.

In the Chiroptera the pes is pentedactylate, and the digits are terminated by long curved ungual phalanges.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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