wishbone

[ wish-bohn ]

noun

1. a forked bone, formed by the fusion of the two clavicles, in front of the breastbone in most birds; furcula.
2. Football. an offensive formation in which the fullback is positioned directly behind the quarterback and the two halfbacks are positioned farther behind and to the left and right, respectively.

wishbone

/ ˈwɪʃˌbəʊn /

noun

1. the V-shaped bone above the breastbone in most birds consisting of the fused clavicles; furcula

wishbone

/ wĭsh′bōn′ /

1. The forked bone in front of the breastbone in most birds, consisting of the two collarbones partly fused together. It serves as a spring, capturing some of the energy during the downward stroke of the wings for release on the upward stroke.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wishbone¹

1850–55, Americanism; wish + bone; so called from the custom of pulling the furcula of a cooked fowl apart until it breaks, the person holding the longer (sometimes shorter) piece being granted a wish

Word History and Origins

Origin of wishbone¹

C17: from the custom of two people breaking apart the bone after eating: the person with the longer part makes a wish

Example Sentences

I simply kicked the cat in the wishbone and resumed the task of milking a fly-bitten cow with an active tail.

From Project Gutenberg

Cutting in this way you sacrifice what is called the merry-thought or wishbone.

From Project Gutenberg

They could see how proud he looked as the children each took one of the wishbone's legs between their fingers.

From Project Gutenberg

And all the other objects scarcely breathed while they watched the children as they took the wishbone from the shelf.

From Project Gutenberg

They seemed lost in a roseate repose, until Grace finally thought of the wishbone that they intended to break after dinner.

From Project Gutenberg