hallux (HAL-uhks) - n., the innermost digit on the hind or lower limb, the big toe.

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In birds, the hallux is often backwards-facing, for better balance. Taken around 1830 from Late (aka Medical) Latin, a blend of Classical Latin hallus and allex, both of which mean big toe though the latter appears only once, in Platus, both apparently from an unknown non-IE source.
---L.
Thanks, WikiMedia!
In birds, the hallux is often backwards-facing, for better balance. Taken around 1830 from Late (aka Medical) Latin, a blend of Classical Latin hallus and allex, both of which mean big toe though the latter appears only once, in Platus, both apparently from an unknown non-IE source.
---L.