wishbone

wish·bone

W0188300 (wĭsh′bōn′)n.1. The forked bone anterior to the breastbone of most birds, formed by the fusion of the clavicles.2. Football An offensive formation in which the halfbacks are positioned behind and to the left and right of the fullback.

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[From the superstition that when two people pull the bone apart a wish will be fulfilled for the person who retains the longer piece.]

wishbone

(ˈwɪʃˌbəʊn) n (Zoology) the V-shaped bone above the breastbone in most birds consisting of the fused clavicles; furcula[C17: from the custom of two people breaking apart the bone after eating: the person with the longer part makes a wish]

wish•bone

(ˈwɪʃˌboʊn)

n. 1. a forked bone, formed by the fusion of the two clavicles, in front of the breastbone in most birds; furcula. 2. a football offensive formation in which the fullback is directly behind the quarterback and two halfbacks are farther behind to either side. [1850–55, Amer.; 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]

wish·bone

(wĭsh′bōn′) 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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

wishbone - the furcula of a domestic fowl wishing bonefurcula - a forked bone formed by the fusion of the clavicles of most birdsbird, fowl - the flesh of a bird or fowl (wild or domestic) used as food

Translations

osso del buon augurio