noun
coccyx
KOK-sihks
Coccyx (noun) means the small, triangular bone at the very bottom of the spine, formed from fused vertebrae; the tailbone. Example: “She fractured her coccyx after slipping on the ice.”
noun
1
The small, triangular bone at the very bottom of the spine, formed from fused vertebrae; the tailbone.
"She fractured her coccyx after slipping on the ice."
How to use coccyx
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe tailbone, at the bottom of the spine.
Common pairings
a bruised coccyx
coccyx pain
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Word forms
- Plural
- coccyges
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She fractured her _____ after slipping on the ice.
Etymology
From Greek kokkyx, "cuckoo" — an ancient anatomist thought the bone's curve resembled a cuckoo's beak.
Synonyms
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tail bone
Frequently asked questions
What does “coccyx” mean?
The word “coccyx” means the small, triangular bone at the very bottom of the spine, formed from fused vertebrae; the tailbone. In plain terms, the tailbone, at the bottom of the spine.
How do you pronounce “coccyx”?
“Coccyx” is pronounced KOK-sihks (/ˈkɑksɪks/ in IPA).
How do you use “coccyx” in a sentence?
Here is “coccyx” used in a sentence: “She fractured her coccyx after slipping on the ice.”
What part of speech is “coccyx”?
“Coccyx” is a noun.
Where does the word “coccyx” come from?
The word “coccyx” comes from Greek. From Greek kokkyx, "cuckoo" — an ancient anatomist thought the bone's curve resembled a cuckoo's beak.
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