"walking on the whole sole of the foot" (opposed to digitigrade), 1831, from French plantigrade "walking on the sole of the foot" (1795), from Latin planta "sole of the foot" (from nasalized form of PIE root *plat- "to spread") + gradi "to walk, go, step" (from PIE root *ghredh- "to walk, go"). Used of man and quadrupeds (bears, etc.) whose heels touch the ground in walking.
"walking on the toes with the heel raised from the ground" (opposed to plantigrade), by 1819, from Modern Latin digitigradus, from digitus "toe" (see digit) + gradi "to walk, go, step" (from PIE root *ghredh- "to walk, go"). As a noun, "a digitigrade mammal," by 1802.
"walking upon hoofs," 1856, from combining form of Latin unguis (see ungual) + ending as in plantigrade. It is attested in French by 1852, which probably was the source of the English word.
updated on February 05, 2023
Plantagenet
plantain
plantar
plantation
planter
plantigrade
planting
planxty
plaque
Plaquemines
plash
