51Թ

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View synonyms for

skin

[skin]

noun

  1. the external covering or integument of an animal body, especially when soft and flexible.

  2. such an integument stripped from the body of an animal, especially a small animal; pelt.

    a beaver skin.

    Synonyms:
  3. the tanned or treated pelt or hide of an animal, especially when used in apparel and accessories; leather (usually used in combination).

    pigskin;

    calfskin.

  4. a container made of animal skin, used for holding liquids, especially wine.

  5. any integumentary covering, casing, outer coating, or surface layer, as an investing membrane, the rind or peel of fruit, or a film on liquid.

    a skin of thin ice;

    the aluminum skin of an airplane.

    Synonyms: , , ,
  6. Computers.

    1. a graphical user interface that changes the appearance of a program, app, or website without changing its underlying functioning.

      It’s still the same old program, but the new skin lets you move all the tools around, so the navigation is better for most people.

    2. an audio or art file in a video game that changes the appearance or sound of an item or a character without changing its underlying functioning, strength, job class, or other specifications.

      The game is free to play, but I’ve spent a lot on skins so my character can look this badass.

  7. Jewelry.

    1. the outermost layer of a pearl.

    2. the outermost layer of a diamond as found: often different in color and refraction from the inner part of the stone.

  8. Metallurgy.an outer layer of a metal piece having characteristics differing from those of the interior.

  9. Nautical.

    1. the shell or ceiling of a hull.

    2. the outer, exposed part of a furled sail.

  10. Rocketry.the outer surface of a missile or rocket.

  11. Slang.a condom.

  12. Slang.skins, drums.

  13. Slang.a swindler; cheat.

  14. Slang.a skinflint.

  15. Slang.a horse.

  16. Slang.a dollar bill.



verb (used with object)

skinned, skinning 
  1. to strip or deprive of skin; flay; peel; husk.

  2. to remove or strip off (any covering, outer coating, surface layer, etc.).

  3. to scrape or rub a small piece of skin from (one's hand, leg, etc.), as in falling or sliding against something.

    She skinned her knee.

  4. to urge on, drive, or whip (a draft animal, as a mule or ox).

  5. to climb or jump.

    He skinned the rope to the top of the wall.

  6. to cover with or as if with skin.

  7. Slang.to strip of money or belongings; fleece, as in gambling.

  8. Cards.to slide cards one at a time off the top of (the pack) in dealing.

  9. Slang.to defeat completely.

    skinned at the polls.

  10. Slang.to castigate; reprimand.

    skinned for his disobedience.

verb (used without object)

skinned, skinning 
  1. Slang.to slip off or depart hurriedly (often followed byout ).

adjective

    1. Slang.showing or featuring nude persons, often in a sexually explicit way.

      a skin magazine.

    2. presenting films, stage shows, exhibitions, etc., that feature nude persons, especially in a sexually explicit way.

      a Times Square skin house.

skin

/ ɪ /

noun

    1. the tissue forming the outer covering of the vertebrate body: it consists of two layers (the dermis and epidermis), the outermost of which may be covered with hair, scales, feathers, etc. It is mainly protective and sensory in function

    2. ( as modifier ) See also dermis epidermis

      a skin disease

  1. a person's complexion

    a fair skin

  2. any similar covering in a plant or lower animal

  3. any coating or film, such as one that forms on the surface of a liquid

  4. unsplit leather made from the outer covering of various mammals, reptiles, etc Compare hide 2

  5. the outer covering of a fur-bearing animal, dressed and finished with the hair on

  6. a container made from animal skin

  7. the outer covering surface of a vessel, rocket, etc

  8. a person's skin regarded as his life

    to save one's skin

  9. informal(often plural) (in jazz or pop use) a drum

  10. informalshort for skinhead

  11. slanga cigarette paper used for rolling a cannabis cigarette

  12. slanga person; sort

    he's a good old skin

  13. by a narrow margin; only just

  14. informalto irritate one

  15. to be very startled

  16. informalnot a matter that affects one adversely

  17. extremely thin

  18. an insensitive nature

  19. a sensitive nature

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to remove the outer covering from (fruit, etc)

  2. (tr) to scrape a small piece of skin from (a part of oneself) in falling, etc

    he skinned his knee

  3. (often foll by over) to cover (something) with skin or a skinlike substance or (of something) to become covered in this way

  4. slang(tr) to strip of money; swindle

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. relating to or for the skin

    skin cream

  2. slanginvolving or depicting nudity

    skin magazines

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

skin

  1. The outer covering of a vertebrate animal, consisting of two layers of cells, a thick inner layer (the dermis) and a thin outer layer (the epidermis). Structures such as hair, scales, or feathers are contained in the skin, as are fat cells, sweat glands, and sensory receptors. Skin provides a protective barrier against disease-causing microorganisms and against the sun's ultraviolet rays. In warm-blooded animals, it aids in temperature regulation, as by insulating against the cold.

skin

  1. The external tissue that covers the body. As the body's largest organ (it makes up about one twenty-fifth of an adult's weight), the skin serves as a waterproof covering that helps keep out pathogens and protects against temperature extremes and sunlight. The skin also contains special nerve endings that respond to touch, pressure, heat, and cold. The skin has an outer layer, or epidermis, and a layer immediately below, called the dermis.

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Other 51Թ Forms

  • skinlike adjective
  • underskin noun
  • unskinned adjective
  • ˈ쾱ˌ adjective
  • ˈ쾱Ա adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of skin1

First recorded in 1050–1100; Middle English noun skin, skin(n)e, Old English scinn, from Old Norse skinn “skin, fur”; cognate with dialectal German Schinde “rind, skin of fruit”; the verb was derived from the noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of skin1

Old English scinn, from Old Norse skinn
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. get under one's skin,

    1. to irritate; bother.

      His laugh really gets under my skin.

    2. to affect deeply; impress; penetrate.

      That sort of music always gets under my skin.

  2. save one's skin, to avoid harm, especially to escape death.

    They betrayed their country to save their skins.

  3. skin alive,

    1. to reprimand; scold.

    2. to subdue completely, especially in a cruel or ruthless manner.

      The home team was skinned alive this afternoon.

  4. by the skin of one's teeth, by an extremely narrow margin; just barely; scarcely.

    We made the last train by the skin of our teeth.

  5. have a thin skin, to be extremely sensitive to criticism or rebuffs; be easily offended.

    Be careful what you say to me, I have a thin skin.

  6. in / with a whole skin, without harm; unscathed; safely.

    She escaped from the burning building with a whole skin.

  7. no skin off one's back / nose / teeth, of no interest or concern or involving no risk to one.

  8. have a thick skin, to be insensitive to criticism or rebuffs.

    The complaint desk is a job for someone who has a thick skin.

  9. under the skin, in essence; fundamentally; despite appearances or differences.

    sisters under the skin.

In addition to the idioms beginning with skin, also see beauty is only skin deep; by the skin of one's teeth; get under someone's skin; jump out of one's skin; make one's flesh creep (skin crawl); more than one way to skin a cat; no skin off one's nose; save one's bacon (skin); soaked to the skin; thick skin.
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Synonym Study

Skin, hide, pelt are names for the outer covering of animals, including humans. Skin is the general word: an abrasion of the skin; the skin of a muskrat. Hide applies to the skin of large animals, as cattle, horses, or elephants: a buffalo hide. Pelt applies to the untanned skin of smaller animals: a mink pelt.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

McLaughlin said in a statement, “Any claims that individuals have been ‘targeted’ by law enforcement because of their skin color are disgusting and categorically FALSE.”

From

“We tried very snake-like skin, but it just made him look very unfriendly. You wouldn’t want to put your hand on his forehead.”

From

As the incident continued, he said: “These guys, literally based off of skin color! My homie was born here!”

From

“It’s lovely not to have to fight for people’s positions in the world based on their skin color.”

From

The Old Bailey has heard that before the attacks he allegedly carried out, Mr Monzo killed, skinned and deboned his pet cat Wizard.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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