Kostyachok

Kostyachok is a Russian word that generally translates to "little bone" or "small bone." It is the diminutive form of the word "kost," meaning bone. The term can be used in a literal sense to refer to a small bone in an animal's body, such as a fish bone or a bone fragment.

Beyond its literal meaning, "kostyachok" can also be used metaphorically. In informal speech, it might refer to something small, insignificant, or a minor detail. For instance, someone might say "у меня нет ни костячка" which translates to "I don't have a penny" or "I'm broke," implying a lack of even the smallest amount of money.

The word's usage is primarily in conversational Russian. It is not a technical term in anatomy or medicine, where more precise terminology would be employed. The context in which "kostyachok" is used will determine its precise meaning, whether it is a physical object or a figurative concept of smallness or lack. Its diminutive nature emphasizes its small size and often, its subordinate role.