# furcula

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A forked process or structure, generally two-pronged.
2. The forked bone formed by the fusion of the clavicles in birds, the wishbone or merrythought.
3. The (two-pronged) forked, somewhat tail-like organ held bent forward and secured by a catch beneath most species of Collembola (springtails), with which they jump by releasing the catch abruptly when alarmed.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin furcula.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/furcula