clavicle

[ klav-i-kuhl ]

/ ˈklæv ɪ kəl /

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noun Anatomy, Zoology.

a bone of the pectoral arch.

(in humans) either of two slender bones, each articulating with the sternum and a scapula and forming the anterior part of a shoulder; collarbone.

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Origin of clavicle

1605–15; <Medieval Latin clāvicula collarbone, Latin: tendril, door-bolt, little key, equivalent to clāvi(s) key + -cula-cule¹

OTHER WORDS FROM clavicle

cla·vic·u·lar

[kluh-vik-yuh-ler], /kləˈvɪk yə lər/, adjectivecla·vic·u·late

[kluh-vik-yuh-leyt], /kləˈvɪk yəˌleɪt/, adjectivesub·cla·vic·u·lar, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use clavicle in a sentence

The medicine pumped through my body through a port inserted underneath my skin below my left clavicle.
The Anatomy Of A Breast Cancer Survivor: ‘Early Detection Saved My Life’|Charli Penn|October 6, 2020|Essence.com
The air cell termed clavicular sends a process outward towards the arm, along with the blood vessels which supply the arm.
Dragons of the Air|H. G. Seeley
Hence the clavicular arch may be lost, though the collar bones are retained in man.
Dragons of the Air|H. G. Seeley
It—it's quite a mild form of er—clavicular—not at all infectious at present.
Lyre and Lancet|F. Anstey

The pectoral girdle consists almost entirely of dermal clavicular bones.
The Vertebrate Skeleton|Sidney H. Reynolds
There was likewise present a slight depression in right supra-clavicular region, lung over this area slightly impaired.
Studies in Forensic Psychiatry|Bernard Glueck

British Dictionary definitions for clavicle

clavicle

/ (ˈklævɪkəl) /

noun

either of the two bones connecting the shoulder blades with the upper part of the breastboneNontechnical name: collarbone

the corresponding structure in other vertebrates

Derived forms of clavicle

clavicular (kləˈvɪkjʊlə), adjectiveclaviculate (kləˈvɪkjʊˌleɪt), adjective

Word Origin for clavicle

C17: from Medieval Latin clāvicula, from Latin clāvis key

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for clavicle

clavicle

[ klăv′ĭ-kəl ]

Either of two slender bones that extend from the manubrium of the sternum to the acromion of the scapula.collarbone

Other words from clavicle

cla•vic′u•lar (klə-vĭk′yə-lər) adj.cla•vic′u•late′ (-lāt′) adj.

Scientific definitions for clavicle

clavicle

[ klăv′ĭ-kəl ]

Either of two slender bones that extend from the upper part of the sternum (breastbone) to the shoulder. Also called collarbone