wishbone
wishbone Lexical Profile
wishbone Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A forked bone found between the neck and breast of a bird, formed by the fused clavicles; the furcula.
"After Thanksgiving dinner, the children dried out the turkey's wishbone so they could pull it apart to make a wish."
A mechanical component, particularly in an automotive suspension system, shaped like an A or a forked bone.
"The mechanic discovered that the lower wishbone on the front suspension was bent after the car hit a deep pothole."
American An offensive formation in American football featuring three running backs arrayed behind the quarterback in the shape of a Y.
"The college team successfully ran the wishbone throughout the 1970s, dominating their opponents with a heavy rushing attack."
• Rhymes for wishbone
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-19th century from 'wish' + 'bone'. The name derives from the traditional custom in which two people pull the dried furcula of a cooked fowl apart; the person who ends up with the larger piece is said to be granted a wish.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.