Digitus
/ˈdiː.ɡi.tus/noun
A Latin noun meaning a finger or toe, also used in anatomical and taxonomic terminology.
Did you know?The Latin digitus became the source of English digit, linking modern mathematics and finger-counting to the ancient practice of using fingers as numerical symbols.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deyǵ- / *deik-
“To point out, show, or indicate; the proposed ancestral root of digitus, though the precise connection is debated.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
deiknynai
“To show or point out, preserving the same ancient idea of making something visible or known.”
Classical Latin
Latin
digitus
“A finger or toe; possibly associated with pointing or indicating.”
Late Latin
Latin
digitus
“A finger, toe, or finger-width unit of measurement.”
Middle English
Old French/English
digit
“A finger, especially in learned or anatomical usage; later, a numeral from the practice of counting on fingers.”
Modern English
English
digit
“A finger, toe, or single numerical symbol from 0 through 9.”