furcula

[fur-kyuh-luh] /ˈfɜr kyə lə/
noun, plural furculae
[fur-kyuh-lee] /ˈfɜr kyəˌli/ (Show IPA)
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.
Origin
1855-60; < Latin: a forked prop. See fork, -ule
Related forms
furcular, adjective

furculum

[fur-kyuh-luh m] /ˈfɜr kyə ləm/
noun, plural furcula
[fur-kyuh-luh] /ˈfɜr kyə lə/ (Show IPA)
1.
furcula.
Origin
< Neo-Latin
Examples from the web for furcula
  • For birds to evolve from theropods, the lost furcula would have to reappear.
British Dictionary definitions for furcula

furcula

/ˈfɜːkjʊlə/
noun (pl) -lae (-ˌliː) -la (-lə)
1.
any forklike part or organ, esp the fused clavicles (wishbone) of birds
Word Origin
C19: from Latin: a forked support for a wall, diminutive of furca fork