coccyx

[ kok-siks ]
/ ˈkɒk sɪks /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR coccyx ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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-uh l, -sij-uh l] /kɒkˈsɪdʒ i əl, -ˈsɪdʒ əl/, adjective in·ter·coc·cyg·e·al, adjective pre·coc·cyg·e·al, adjective

Words nearby coccyx

coccygeal sinus, coccygectomy, coccygodynia, coccygotomy, coccyodynia, coccyx, coch., coch. amp., coch. mag., coch. med., coch. parv.

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), adjective

Word 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

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

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