palmigradeadj.
/ˈpalmᵻɡreɪd/, U.S. /ˈpɑ(l)məˌɡreɪd/ Zoology.
That walks on the soles of the feet (= plantigrade adj.); spec. (of a primate) that places the palm of the hand on the ground in walking. Also: relating to or adapted for this action.
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the world > animals > by locomotion > [adjective] > adapted for walking > walking on soles of feet
plantigrade1827
palmigrade1858
1858 E. Hitchcock Ichnol. New Eng. 201/2 Palmigrade: that walks on the whole foot.
1949 Q. Rev. Biol. 24 210/1 This primitive, palmigrade type of quadrupedal posture is common to man, the Old World monkeys, and (on occasion) gibbons.
1973 H. Preuschoft in M. H. Day Human Evol. ii. 27 (caption) Stresses which occur in the arm of a palmigrade primate.
1988 R. H. Tuttle & G. W. Cortright in J. H. Schwartz Orang-utan Biol. xxiii. 314/1 Terrestrial orang-utans variably place their hands in fisted, palmigrade, and modified palmigrade postures.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1858