knucklebone

[ nuhk-uhl-bohn ]

noun

1. (in humans) any of the bones forming a knuckle of a finger.
2. (in quadrupeds) a bone homologous with a wrist, ankle, or finger bone of humans, or its knobbed end.

knucklebone

/ ˈnʌkəlˌbəʊn /

noun

1. any bone forming part of a knuckle or knuckle joint

Word History and Origins

Origin of knucklebone¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; knuckle, bone

Example Sentences

As a onetime priest, McLaughlin would have undoubtedly understood the desire to possess a relic from a venerated figure, like a saint’s knucklebone or a sliver of the true cross.

From Washington Post

There’s no better example of this than the Klingons, who changed dramatically over the course of Star Trek, from the flat foreheads of The Original Series to the “knucklebone” ridges of the films and The Next Generation era to… whatever JJ Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness Klingons were.

From The Verge

Temujin was born clutching a blood clot the size of a knucklebone.

From Time Magazine Archive

But they must wait in patience yet a little longer, if even a knucklebone is to be a share.

From Project Gutenberg