jointed

Jointed is an adjective describing something that has joints or is composed of joined segments. It derives from the noun joint, which in turn comes from historic roots meaning to join or connect. The term is widely used across disciplines to emphasize articulation, connection, or segmentation.

In biology and anatomy, jointed refers to limbs or appendages that move at joints. Most vertebrates have jointed skeletons, and many invertebrates, such as arthropods, display jointed appendages like legs and antennae. The word can also describe mechanisms that allow relative motion between parts, such as a jointed finger or a jointed robotic arm.

In geology, jointed rock describes rock bodies that bear natural fractures known as joints. These joints are planar, discontinuous features formed by stress and stress relief in the rock and influence properties such as permeability and strength.

In woodworking and carpentry, to joint is a process that creates flat, square edges on boards. A board that has undergone jointing may be described as jointed, and such edges are typically prepared for precise gluing and panel construction.

In mechanical design and engineering, jointed mechanisms feature articulated connections between links, permitting movement. Examples include jointed arms, linkages, or robotic grippers, where the number and type of joints determine the range of motion.

The term also appears in crafts and toys, where jointed models or dolls possess movable joints to enable posing or articulation.