furcula

Everyday

1. The furcula is the wishbone of a bird: a forked bone in its chest made of two collarbones joined together. tree →
2. In some tiny insects called springtails, the furcula is a forked tail-like part that flicks down to make them jump. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons the furcula helps show how birds are built for flying: it works like a spring when the wings flap. Scientists also found furculas in some dinosaurs, which is one clue that birds came from dinosaurs. In everyday life it is the wishbone people pull at a roast chicken dinner and make a wish.

Examples

• The furcula is also called the wishbone. tree →
• After the roast chicken, my brother and I pulled the furcula and made a wish. tree →
• A bird's furcula bends like a spring as it flaps. tree →
• Some dinosaurs had a furcula, just like birds. tree →
• The springtail jumped by snapping its furcula against the ground. tree →
• Find the furcula on the diagram of the bird skeleton. tree →

Note

A science word from Latin meaning «little fork». Plural: furculas or furculae. Countable. The everyday word is «wishbone».