coccyx
[ kok-siks ]
/ ˈkɒk sɪks /
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noun, plural coc·cy·ges [kok-sahy-jeez, kok-si-jeez]. /kɒkˈsaɪ dʒiz, ˈkɒk sɪˌdʒiz/.
a small triangular bone forming the lower extremity of the spinal column in humans, consisting of four ankylosed rudimentary vertebrae.
a corresponding part in certain animals.
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Origin of coccyx
1605–15; <New Latin <Greek kókkyx cuckoo, from its resemblance to a cuckoo's beak
OTHER WORDS FROM coccyx
coc·cyg·e·al [kok-sij-ee-uhl, -sij-uhl], /kɒkˈsɪdʒ i əl, -ˈsɪdʒ əl/, adjectivein·ter·coc·cyg·e·al, adjectivepre·coc·cyg·e·al, adjectiveWords nearby coccyx
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for coccyx
British Dictionary definitions for coccyx
coccyx
/ (ˈkɒksɪks) /
noun plural coccyges (kɒkˈsaɪdʒiːz)
a small triangular bone at the end of the spinal column in man and some apes, representing a vestigial tail
Derived forms of coccyx
coccygeal (kɒkˈsɪdʒɪəl), adjectiveWord Origin for coccyx
C17: from New Latin, from Greek kokkux cuckoo, of imitative origin; from the likeness of the bone to a cuckoo's beak
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 coccyx
coccyx
[ kŏk′sĭks ]
n. pl. coc•cy•ges (kŏk-sī′jēz, kŏk′sĭ-jēz′)
The small triangular bone located at the base of the spinal column, formed by the fusion of four rudimentary vertebrae, and articulating above with the sacrum.tailbone
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for coccyx
coccyx
[ kŏk′sĭks ]
Plural coccyges (kŏk-sī′jēz, kŏk′sĭ-jēz′)
A small triangular bone at the base of the spine in humans and apes. It is composed of several fused vertebrae. Also called tailbone
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.