digitigrade

adjective

dig·​i·​ti·​grade ˈdi-jə-tə-ˌgrād 

: walking on the digits with the posterior of the foot more or less raised

Word History

Etymology

French, from digiti- + -grade

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

digitigrade

adjective

dig·​i·​ti·​grade ˈdij-ət-ə-ˌgrād 

: walking or adapted for walking on the digits with the posterior of the foot more or less raised

cats and dogs are digitigrade mammals

compare plantigrade

digitigrade noun