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coccyges

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coc⋅cyx

  [kok-siks]
Use coccyges in a Sentence
–noun, plural coc⋅cy⋅ges  [kok-sahy-jeez, kok-si-jeez] .
1. a small triangular bone forming the lower extremity of the spinal column in humans, consisting of four ankylosed rudimentary vertebrae.
2. a corresponding part in certain animals.
Origin:
1605–15; < NL < Gk kókkyx cuckoo, from its resemblance to a cuckoo's beak

Related forms:
coc⋅cyg⋅e⋅al  [kok-sij-ee-uhl] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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coc·cyx   (kŏk'sĭks)   


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n.   pl. coc·cy·ges (kŏk-sī'jēz, kŏk'sĭ-jēz')
A small triangular bone at the base of the spinal column in humans and tailless apes, consisting of several fused rudimentary vertebrae. Also called tailbone.

[New Latin, from Greek kokkūx, cuckoo, coccyx (from its resemblance to a cuckoo's beak).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

coccyx 
1615, from Gk. kokkyx "cuckoo" (from kokku, like the bird's Eng. name echoic of its cry), so called by ancient Gk. physician Galen because the bone in humans supposedly resembles a cuckoo's beak.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: coc·cyx
Pronunciation: 'käk-siks
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural coc·cy·ges /'käk-s&-"jEz/ also coc·cyx·es /'käk-sik-s&z/
: a small bone that articulates with the sacrum and that usually consistsof four fused vertebrae which form the terminus of the spinal column
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

coccyx coc·cyx (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. Also called tailbone.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
coccyx   (kŏk'sĭks)  Pronunciation Key 
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 © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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