furcula

  1. Noun.  (anatomy) A forked process or structure, generally two-pronged.
  2. Noun.  (ornithology) The forked bone formed by the fusion of the clavicles in birds, the wishbone or merrythought.
  3. Noun.  (entomology) The (two-pronged,) forked, somewhat tail-like organ held bent forward and secured by a catch beneath most species of Collembola (springtails), with which they jump by releasing the catch abruptly when alarmed.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.