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dig·it

(dĭjĭt)

a. A human finger or toe.

b. A corresponding part in other vertebrates.

2. A unit of length derived from the breadth of a finger and equal to about 34 of an inch (2.0 centimeters).

a. One of the ten Arabic number symbols, 0 through 9.

b. Such a symbol used in a system of numeration.

4. digits Slang A telephone number: She gave me her digits, and I put them in my phone.

[Middle English, from Latin digitus, finger, toe; see deik- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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