Ancient Greek units of measurement
Length
Table:
Smaller units of length

Unit

Greek name

Equal to

Modern equivalent

Description

daktylos

δάκτυλος

19.3 mm (0.76 in)

finger

kondylos

κόνδυλος

2 daktyloi

38.5 mm (1.52 in)

palaistē or dōron

παλαιστή, δῶρον

4 daktyloi

77.1 mm (3.04 in)

palm

dichas or hēmipodion

διχάς, ἡμιπόδιον

8 daktyloi

154.1 mm (6.07 in)

half foot

lichas

λιχάς

10 daktyloi

192.6 mm (7.58 in)

orthodōron

ὀρθόδωρον

11 daktyloi

211.9 mm (8.34 in)

spithamē

σπιθαμή

12 daktyloi

231.2 mm (9.10 in)

span of all fingers

pous

πούς

16 daktyloi

308.2 mm (12.13 in)

foot

pygmē

πυγμή

18 daktyloi

346.8 mm (13.65 in)

forearm

pygōn

πυγών

20 daktyloi

385.3 mm (15.17 in)

pēchys

πῆχυς

24 daktyloi

462.3 mm (18.20 in)

cubit

Except where noted, based on Smith (1851).[2] Metric equivalents are approximate.

Using the data within the table titled Ancient Greek units of measurement — section "Length", write a short sentence answering the following question: What were the Greek names for lengths corresponding to a foot and a finger, and how are they written out in English? Respond with the correct answer in JSON format as {"answer": "YOUR ANSWER"}.

answer: Some Greek measures of length were named after parts of the body, such as the δάκτυλος (daktylos) or finger, and the πούς (pous) or foot.