opposable
Able to counter
Opposable describes a body part, especially a thumb, that can be moved to meet or touch other digits on the same hand.
Humans and other primates have opposable thumbs, enabling precise gripping and manipulation of objects: The opposable thumb is key to human tool use.
The trait distinguishes primates from most other mammals.
Adapted for grasping
- gripSecure manual hold
- claspSecuring device that clicks
- thumbShort opposable digit
- pinchSqueeze with fingertips
hold · manipulate · clutch · precision grip · power grip · seize · handle · grapple
Short opposable digit
- digitSingle numeric character
- pollexFirst digit of hand
- jointShared by multiple parties
- articulationClear vocal expression
appendage · phalanx · metacarpal · tendon · ligament · musculature · hallux · toe
Great ape, genus Pan
- gorillaLargest great ape
- orangutanLarge red-haired Asian ape
- bonoboCongo Basin great ape
- gibbonTailless tree-dwelling primate
macaque · baboon · capuchin · lemur · tarsier · hominid · simian · anthropoid
Accuracy of measurement
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- skillAcquired ability through practice
- agilityQuickness and ease
finesse · craftsmanship · tool use · handiness · deftness · grip strength · manual · tactile
Fitting to new conditions
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- fitnessGood physical shape
phenotype · inheritance · speciation · traits · morphology · niche · selective pressure · convergent
prehensile
Adapted for grasping
pinch · hold · manipulate · clutch · precision grip · power grip · seize · handle · grapple · squeeze
thumb
Short opposable digit
articulation · appendage · phalanx · metacarpal · tendon · ligament · musculature · hallux · toe · finger
chimpanzee
Great ape, genus Pan
gibbon · macaque · baboon · capuchin · lemur · tarsier · hominid · simian · anthropoid · primate
precision
Accuracy of measurement
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- skillAcquired ability through practice
agility · finesse · craftsmanship · tool use · handiness · deftness · grip strength · manual · tactile · nimbleness
adaptation
Fitting to new conditions
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
fitness · phenotype · inheritance · speciation · traits · morphology · niche · selective pressure · convergent · divergent
- primate traitsgrasping hands, prehensile, binocular vision, arboreal, simian
- body part traitsbent, bony, bruised, calloused, crooked
opposableunopposable
Impossible to fight against
irresistible · incontestable · unchallengeable · insurmountable · invincible
opposableunopposable
Impossible to fight against
fixed · immobile · rigid · inflexible · fused
- opposable thumbsDigits that press against fingers