coccyx

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The final (bottom-most) fused vertebrae at the base of the spine, the tailbone.

   He lands on the concrete path and bounces on his coccyx, which cracks the base of his spine.

2. 2
   noun

   the end of the vertebral column in humans and tailless apes

Simplified etymology

Coccyx entered English in the late 16th century through Latin from Greek kokkux, “cuckoo.” The bone was so named because its shape was thought to resemble a cuckoo’s beak.

From Latin coccyx, from Ancient Greek κόκκυξ (kókkux, “cuckoo”), referring to the curved shape of a cuckoo's beak when viewed from the side.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary