How Do You Spell WISHBONE?

Pronunciation: [wˈɪʃbə͡ʊn] (IPA)

The word wishbone, which refers to the V-shaped bone of a bird's furcula, is spelled as /ˈwɪʃˌboʊn/. The first syllable, "wish," is pronounced with a short "i" sound as in "miss," followed by "sh" as in "ship." The second syllable, "bone," is pronounced with a long "o" as in "cone," followed by "n" as in "no." This phonetic transcription helps in understanding the correct pronunciation and spelling of the word, which is often used in folklore and holiday traditions such as Thanksgiving.

WISHBONE Meaning and Definition

1. A wishbone is a noun that refers to the forked bone found in birds or certain animals, specifically the furcula, that is a prominent feature in poultry as well as some mammalian species. The bone is shaped like the letter "Y" or resembles the outline of a wishbone, hence its name. It connects the shoulders of the animal or bird and serves several important functions.

   In birds, the wishbone plays a crucial role in flight as it acts as a brace, providing strength and support for the wings during flapping movements. It also helps in maintaining balance and stability during flight. In addition to its biomechanical significance, the wishbone holds cultural and superstitious value, particularly in regions where it is commonly associated with making wishes.

   Traditionally, the wishbone is considered a symbol of luck and is often broken by two people while making a wish. This ritual involves each person holding one end of the bone and pulling it apart, and the individual who ends up with the larger piece is believed to have their wish granted. This practice is commonly performed during Thanksgiving or other festive occasions.

   Metaphorically, "wishbone" can also refer to a person's optimistic or hopeful nature. It evokes the idea of having a desire or wish, symbolizing the act of wishing for something better or hoping for favorable outcomes.

Common Misspellings for WISHBONE

• aichbone
• fisbone
• fisshbone
• fishbonee
• qishbone
• aishbone
• sishbone
• eishbone
• 3ishbone
• 2ishbone
• wushbone
• wjshbone
• wkshbone
• widhbone
• wishobne
• wishbonne
• dishrone
• wirlbone
• wishbonz
• wishbown
• Rishone

Etymology of WISHBONE

The word "wishbone" has a somewhat literal meaning, originating from Old English and Old Norse languages. It is a composite of two words: "wish" and "bone".

The term "bone" comes from Old English "ban" and Old Norse "bein", both meaning "bone".

The word "wish" has an interesting etymology. It traces back to Old English "wis", which means "to wish, to desire". "Wis" is derived from the Old Norse "vissa", meaning "to know, to understand". As such, the concept of wishing was connected to knowing or understanding in older Germanic languages, suggesting that wishes were once considered closely tied to wisdom or knowledge.

In the case of the wishbone, it refers to the forked bone in the breast of a bird, especially a chicken or turkey.

Idioms with the word WISHBONE

• success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone The idiom "success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone" means that achieving success requires determination, effort, and the ability to persevere through challenges, rather than just relying on mere aspirations or wishful thinking. It emphasizes the importance of having a strong work ethic and resilience in order to accomplish one's goals.

Plural form of WISHBONE is WISHBONES