clavicle

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the collarbone, a curved bone joining the breastbone to the shoulder blade

   The cyclist fractured her clavicle when she landed on her shoulder.

2. 2
   noun

   conchology: the upper spire of a spiral shell

   The specimen's short clavicle rises only slightly above the final whorl.

Borrowed through French clavicule from Latin clavicula ("small key"), the diminutive of clavis ("key"). The bone was so named for its curved, keylike shape.

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