furcula

[ fur-kyuh-luh ]

noun

, plural fur·cu·lae [fur, -ky, uh, -lee].

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

Other Words From

• furcu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of furcula¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of furcula¹

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

Example Sentences

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 Scientific American

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

From Washington Post

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

From New York Times

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

From Newsweek

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

From Project Gutenberg