ossicone

noun

os·​si·​cone ˈä-sə-ˌkōn How to pronounce ossicone (audio)
plural ossicones
: one of usually two short conical or columnar protuberances on the head of male and female giraffes and male okapis that are composed of ossified cartilage covered by skin and hair

Note: As ossicones enlarge and ossify, they become fused to the skull.

Examples of ossicone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The lightning strike apparently hit one giraffe on the top of its head, judging by a fracture in the skull near the base of its antler-like ossicone, George Dvorsky reports for Gizmodo. Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Sep. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ossicone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ossicone was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near ossicone

Cite this Entry

“Ossicone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ossicone. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

ossicone

noun
os·​si·​cone
ˈäs-ə-ˌkōn
: one of usually two short hornlike growths on the tops of the heads of male and female giraffes and male okapis
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!