wishing-bone
Definition
Noun: - A forked bone: The "wishing-bone" is a forked bone (the furcula) found in birds, especially poultry like chickens and turkeys, traditionally used in a superstitious ritual where two people pull it apart; the person who gets the larger piece makes a wish.
Usage Examples
- (The forked bone from the turkey used in a wish-making ritual.)
- (The bone preserved for superstitious purposes.)
Advanced Usage
- "to break the wishing-bone": to perform the traditional ritual of pulling apart the forked bone with another person; the one who ends up with the longer piece is said to have their wish granted.
- The siblings broke the wishing-bone, and the younger sister got the larger piece. (They performed the wish-making ritual.)
Variants and Related Words
- Wishbone (n): a common alternative spelling of "wishing-bone"; the same forked bone from a bird.
- The turkey's wishbone was carefully removed before carving. (The forked bone of the bird.)
Synonyms
- Furcula: the technical anatomical term for the forked bone in birds.
- Merrythought: an old-fashioned, informal term for the same bone, especially in British English.
Related Idioms
- "to have a wishbone": (informal) to be hopeful or optimistic, but often implying unrealistic expectations.
- He has a wishbone where his backbone should be. (He is all hope and no action, lacking courage or determination.)