coccyx

[ kok-siks ]

noun

, plural coc·cy·ges [kok-, sahy, -jeez, kok, -si-jeez].

1. a small triangular bone forming the lower extremity of the spinal column in humans, consisting of four ankylosed rudimentary vertebrae.
2. a corresponding part in certain animals.

coccyx

/ kɒkˈsɪdʒɪəl; ˈkɒksɪks /

noun

1. a small triangular bone at the end of the spinal column in man and some apes, representing a vestigial tail

coccyx

/ kŏk′sĭks /

, Plural coccyges kŏk-sī′jēz,kŏk′sĭ-jēz′

1. A small triangular bone at the base of the spine in humans and apes. It is composed of several fused vertebrae.
2. Also called tailbone

Derived Forms

• coccygeal, adjective

Other Words From

• coc·cyg·e·al [kok-, sij, -ee-, uh, l, -, sij, -, uh, l], adjective
• inter·coc·cyge·al adjective
• precoc·cyge·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coccyx¹

1605–15; < New Latin < Greek kókkyx cuckoo, from its resemblance to a cuckoo's beak

Word History and Origins

Origin of coccyx¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek kokkux cuckoo, of imitative origin; from the likeness of the bone to a cuckoo's beak

Example Sentences

Following this evolutionary split, the group of apes that includes present-day humans evolved the formation of fewer tail vertebrae, giving rise to the coccyx, or tailbone.

From Science Daily

Mr. Rafelson left home as a teenager and worked as a rodeo rider — he said he broke his coccyx after being thrown from a bull, which he mounted in a brash attempt to win $5 in a bet — and played in a band in Mexico.

From Washington Post

Sitting in a north London park, a mile from where Rotten grew up, Boon reeled off a list of other injuries sustained over six months of filming: He fractured his coccyx when he fell over a drum kit; zealous singing dislocated his jaw; he spent several hours a day hunched over to emulate the musician’s posture, and still has back pain from it today.

From New York Times

Davidson had revealed that Kelly had bruised his coccyx after the two fell off the stage at "Saturday Night Live."

From Fox News

The "Bad Things" singer explained that his coccyx wasn't the only thing he hurt that night.

From Fox News