clavicle

[ klav-i-kuh l ]
/ ˈklæv ɪ kəl /

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.

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

Example sentences from the Web for clavicle

British Dictionary definitions for clavicle

clavicle
/ (ˈklævɪkəl) /

noun

either of the two bones connecting the shoulder blades with the upper part of the breastbone Nontechnical name: collarbone
the corresponding structure in other vertebrates

Derived forms of clavicle

clavicular (kləˈvɪkjʊlə), adjective claviculate (kləˈvɪkjʊˌleɪt), adjective

Word Origin for clavicle

C17: from Medieval Latin clāvicula, from Latin clāvis key

Medical definitions for clavicle

clavicle
[ klăvĭ-kəl ]

n.

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•vicu•lar (klə-vĭkyə-lər) adj. cla•vicu•late′ (-lāt′) adj.

Scientific definitions for clavicle

clavicle
[ klăvĭ-kəl ]

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