furcula

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the forked bone formed by the fused collarbones of most birds; the wishbone

   The bird's furcula flexed slightly as its wings beat downward.

2. 2
   noun

   a forked organ beneath a springtail that is released to propel the animal into the air

   The springtail snapped its furcula against the surface and leaped away.

3. 3
   noun

   any forked anatomical process or structure

   The specimen had a delicate furcula at the rear of the segment.

Borrowed from Latin furcula ("little fork"), a diminutive of furca ("fork"). Anatomists first applied the name by shape; zoology later extended it to other forked structures, including the springing organ of springtails.

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