Part 439

Skel"e*tal (?), a. Pertaining to the skeleton.

Skel`e*tog"e*nous (?), a. [Skeleton + -genous.] Forming or producing parts of the skeleton.

Skel`e*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Skeleton + -logy.] That part of anatomy which treats of the skeleton; also, a treatise on the skeleton.

Skel"e*ton (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?; (sc. &?;&?;&?;) a dried body, a mummy, fr. &?;&?;&?;&?; dried up, parched, &?;&?;&?;&?; to dry, dry up, parch.] 1. (Anat.) (a) The bony and cartilaginous framework which supports the soft parts of a vertebrate animal. [See Illust. of the Human Skeleton, in Appendix.] (b) The more or less firm or hardened framework of an invertebrate animal.

In a wider sense, the skeleton includes the whole connective-tissue framework with the integument and its appendages. See Endoskeleton, and Exoskeleton.

2. Hence, figuratively: (a) A very thin or lean person. (b) The framework of anything; the principal parts that support the rest, but without the appendages.

The great skeleton of the world.

Sir M. Hale.

(c) The heads and outline of a literary production, especially of a sermon.

Skel"e*ton, a. Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton crystal.

Skeleton bill, a bill or draft made out in blank as to the amount or payee, but signed by the acceptor. [Eng.] -- Skeleton key, a key with nearly the whole substance of the web filed away, to adapt it to avoid the wards of a lock; a master key; -- used for opening locks to which it has not been especially fitted. -- Skeleton leaf, a leaf from which the pulpy part has been removed by chemical means, the fibrous part alone remaining. -- Skeleton proof, a proof of a print or engraving, with the inscription outlined in hair strokes only, such proofs being taken before the engraving is finished. -- Skeleton regiment, a regiment which has its complement of officers, but in which there are few enlisted men. -- Skeleton shrimp (Zoöl.), a small crustacean of the genus Caprella. See Illust. under Læmodipoda.

Skel"e*ton*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skeletonized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Skeletonizing (?).] To prepare a skeleton of; also, to reduce, as a leaf, to its skeleton. Pop. Sci. Monthly.

Skel"e*ton*i`zer (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any small moth whose larva eats the parenchyma of leaves, leaving the skeleton; as, the apple-leaf skeletonizer.

Skel"lum (?), n. [Dan. schelm, fr. G. schelm.] A scoundrel. [Obs. or Scot.] Pepys. Burns.

Skel"ly (?), v. i. [Cf. Dan. skele, Sw. skela.] To squint. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

Skel"ly, n. A squint. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Skelp (?), n. [Cf. Prov. E. skelp to kick severely, to move rapidly; Gael. sgealp, n., a slap with the palm of the hand, v., to strike with the palm of the hand.] 1. A blow; a smart stroke. [Prov. Eng.] Brockett.

2. A squall; also, a heavy fall of rain. [Scot.]

Skelp, v. t. To strike; to slap. [Scot.] C. Reade.

Skelp, n. A wrought-iron plate from which a gun barrel or pipe is made by bending and welding the edges together, and drawing the thick tube thus formed.

Skel"ter (?), v. i. [Cf. Helter- skelter.] To run off helter-skelter; to hurry; to scurry; -- with away or off. [Colloq.] A. R. Wallace.

Sken (?), v. i. To squint. [Prov. Eng.]

Skene (?), n. See Skean. C. Kingsley.

Skep (?), n. [Icel. skeppa a measure, bushel; cf. Gael. sgeap a basket, a beehive.] 1. A coarse round farm basket. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Tusser.

2. A beehive. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Skep"tic (?), n. [Gr. skeptiko`s thoughtful, reflective, fr. ske`ptesqai to look carefully or about, to view, consider: cf. L. scepticus, F. sceptique. See Scope.] [Written also sceptic.] 1. One who is yet undecided as to what is true; one who is looking or inquiring for what is true; an inquirer after facts or reasons.

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2. (Metaph.) A doubter as to whether any fact or truth can be certainly known; a universal doubter; a Pyrrhonist; hence, in modern usage, occasionally, a person who questions whether any truth or fact can be established on philosophical grounds; sometimes, a critical inquirer, in opposition to a dogmatist.