It is used in various contexts:
* Anatomy: It refers to the digits of the hand, specifically the fingers.
* Poetry: In classical Greek poetry, a "dactyl" is a metrical foot consisting of one long syllable followed by two short syllables.
* Mythology: In Greek mythology, the Dactyls were mythical beings associated with the Idaean mountains, often depicted as having a connection to metalworking and craftsmanship.
The term "dactyl" itself is derived from the Greek word "daktylos."