interdigitate

verb

in·​ter·​dig·​i·​tate ˌin-tər-ˈdi-jə-ˌtāt 

interdigitated; interdigitating

intransitive verb

: to become interlocked like the fingers of folded hands

interdigitation

ˌin-tər-ˌdi-jə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Did you know?

It probably won't surprise you to learn that interdigitate comes from the prefix inter-, as in interlock, and the Latin word digitus, meaning "finger." Digitus also gave us digit, which is used in English today to refer to (among other things) the finger or toe of any animal. Interdigitate usually suggests an interlocking of things with fingerlike projections, such as muscle fibers or the teeth of an old-fashioned bear trap. The word can also be used figuratively to imply a smooth interweaving of disparate things, such as the blending of two cultures within a shared region.

Word History

Etymology

inter- + Latin digitus finger — more at toe

First Known Use

circa 1849, in the meaning defined above

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Medical Definition

interdigitate

intransitive verb

in·​ter·​dig·​i·​tate -ˈdij-ə-ˌtāt 

interdigitated; interdigitating

1

: to become interlocked like the fingers of folded hands

thick myosin filaments interdigitate with the thin actin filaments

—J. M. Squire

2

: to undergo intercuspation

these teeth do not interdigitate completely

—J. A. Glassman

interdigitation

-ˌdij-ə-ˈtā-shən 

noun