1. a small claw or toe on the inner side of the hind leg of some mammals, especially dogs and cats, that does not touch the ground when walking
Usage: common in veterinary and animal husbandry contexts
2. a similar small claw or digit on the front leg of some hoofed animals
Usage: found in ungulates such as deer and cattle

Examples

• The veterinarian removed the dog's dewclaw during surgery.
• Many dog breeds have dewclaws on their hind legs.
• Cats use their dewclaws to grip prey more effectively.
• The deer's dewclaws help it navigate rocky terrain.
• Some breeders choose to remove dewclaws from puppies when they are young.
• The horse's dewclaws are vestigial remnants of its evolutionary past.