Prehensile
[pre-HEN-səl]
Part of speech: adjective
Origin: Latin, 18th century
1.
(Chiefly of an animal's limb or tail) Capable of grasping.
Examples of Prehensile in a sentence
"The monkey used its prehensile tail to turn the doorknob and free itself."
"My cat’s tail is so strong it’s almost prehensile."
About Prehensile
“Prehensile” was drawn directly from the French “préhensile,” based on the Latin prefix “prehēns” (meaning “to grasp”).
Did you Know?
Some monkeys in Central and South America have prehensile tails, while those across Asia and Africa do not. Prehensile tails are often associated with monkeys, but they appear in many different types of mammals, including rodents and marsupials, as well as some reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Not all prehensile tails are equal: Some have bare patches of skin for friction and are better equipped for gripping and climbing, while others are hairy and best used for balance.
