French word

plantigrade

Pronunciation

IPA/plɑ̃tigʁad/

Meaning

  • adjectiveflat-footed

Example

Ce mammifère est plantigrade.

This mammal is flat-footed.

Illustration for plantigrade (flat-footed)

More examples

Il préfère marcher plantigrade sur le sable.

He prefers to walk flat-footed on the sand.

Core concept

An animal walks with the full underside of each foot pressed flat against the ground.

Common phrases

  • marcher plantigrade

    walk flat-footed

  • style de marche plantigrade

    flat-footed gait

Definition in French

Se dit d'un animal ou d'une personne qui pose toute la plante du pied sur le sol en marchant.

Word origin

The word combines Latin planta, meaning 'sole of the foot,' with gradus, meaning 'step,' to name this type of walking.

Usage tips

  • Plantigrade belongs mainly to zoological and anatomical vocabulary, so everyday French often uses a descriptive phrase instead.

Word lists with this word