knucklebone

noun knuck·le·bone \ ˈnək-əl-ˌbōn \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Definition of knucklebone

1 : a bone (such as a metatarsus or metacarpus of a sheep) used in games and formerly in divination

2 knucklebones plural in form but singular in construction : a game played with knucklebones or jacks

Recent Examples of knucklebone from the Web

As a onetime priest, McLaughlin would have undoubtedly understood the desire to possess a relic from a venerated figure, like a saint’s knucklebone or a sliver of the true cross.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "Issue One: Would you wear a suit that once belonged to John McLaughlin?," 4 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'knucklebone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.