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furcula

[ fur-kyuh-luh ]

noun

plural furculae
  1. the forked clavicular bone of a bird; wishbone.
  2. the ventral, forked appendage on the abdomen of a springtail that the insect uses in springing itself into the air.


furcula

/ ˈfɜːkjʊlə; ˈfɜːkjʊləm /

noun

  1. any forklike part or organ, esp the fused clavicles (wishbone) of birds
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ڳܰc· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of furcula1

1855–60; < Latin: a forked prop. See fork, -ule
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Word History and Origins

Origin of furcula1

C19: from Latin: a forked support for a wall, diminutive of furca fork
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

These adorable little creatures are so named because they often have a forked butt flipper called a furcula that launches them skyward in emergencies.

From

They use an appendage called the furcula to launch themselves into the air when threatened.

From

They also had wishbones, or furculae, another chapter of the story.

From

He was the paleontologist who discovered the furcula of a Tyrannosaurus rex.

From

The clavicles, when united, as usual, form the furcula; mostly the distal median portion is drawn out into a hypocleidium of various shape.

From

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furcatefurculum