dactyl
n.
division of poetry containing an accented syllable before two unaccented syllables
Dactyl (mythology)
dactyl
Noun
1. a metrical unit with stressed-unstressed-unstressed syllables
(hypernym) metrical foot, foot, metrical unit
2. a finger or toe in human beings or corresponding part in other vertebrates
(synonym) digit
(hypernym) extremity, appendage, member
(hyponym) finger
(part-holonym) vertebrate, craniate
(part-meronym) phalanx
Dactyls
[Greek] In Greek mythology, they are demons believed to live on Mount Ida in Phrygia (Asia Minor), or on the Isle of Crete. They were considered to be the first metallurgists: they discovered iron and the art of working metals by fire. They belonged to the retinue of the goddess Cybele. The Dactyls are sometimes identified with the Cabiri, Curetes and Corybantes; mostly because of the mystery cults that surrounded those groups. Their name is derived from daktylos ("finger") and is probably based either on their skill with metals or on their small size.
Dactyli
Dactyli, Dactyls (Greek) [from daktylos finger] Fingers; in Greek mythology, the smith said to have first discovered and worked copper and iron, and to have introduced music and rhythm into Greece. Also a name for the Phrygian Hierophants of Rhea Cybele, said to be magicians, exorcists, and healers. Five or ten in number, as the number of the fingers, they have been identified with the Corybantes -- priests of Atys, the youth beloved by Cybelle -- with the Curetes, Telchines, and others, all of which have also been connected with the kabiri. But the kabiri were the manus, rishis, and dhyani-chohans who incarnated in the elect of the third root-race and earliest part of the fourth root-race. Since the structure of the higher planes is reflected in the lower, all these names can also stand for terrestrial powers and their hierophants, according to the rites peculiar to various countries. They have been connected with the Pelasgian masonry (SD 2:345); but, like the cyclopes they were masons in more senses than one.