Definition

A tiny bone, particularly one of the three bones found in the middle ear that help with hearing.

Example

The ossicle in the ear plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations.

Conversation

Did you know that the human ear has three tiny bones called ossicles?

Really? I had no idea they had a special name!

Yeah, they help transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear.

That's so cool! I love learning about how our bodies work.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ossicle → It is formed from "oss-" (from Latin "os", meaning bone) and "-icle" (a diminutive suffix meaning small). The word "ossicle" refers to a small bone, particularly in the context of anatomy.

Memory Tip

Think of 'oss-' meaning bone and '-icle' indicating something small — so an ossicle is a small bone.

Visually Confused Words