Word of the day

dactyloscopy

PRONUNCIATION:

(dak-tuh-LOS-kuh-pee) 

MEANING:

noun The analysis of fingerprints for identification of individuals.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek dactylo- (finger or toe) + -scopy (observation). Earliest documented use: 1908.

USAGE:

"Doctor Oloriz, from Madrid, tried to introduce dactyloscopy into the police force, with prints from those arrested carefully classified."

Marc Pastor; Barcelona Shadows; Pushkin Press; 2014.