Skull and crossbones

Skull and crossbones
Skull Skull, n. [OE. skulle, sculle, scolle; akin to Scot. skull, skoll, a bowl, Sw. skalle skull, skal a shell, and E. scale; cf. G. hirnschale, Dan. hierneskal. Cf. {Scale} of a balance.] 1. (Anat.) The skeleton of the head of a vertebrate animal, including the brain case, or cranium, and the bones and cartilages of the face and mouth. See Illusts. of {Carnivora}, of {Facial angles} under {Facial}, and of {Skeleton}, in Appendix. [1913 Webster]

Note: In many fishes the skull is almost wholly cartilaginous but in the higher vertebrates it is more or less completely ossified, several bones are developed in the face, and the cranium is made up, wholly or partially, of bony plates arranged in three segments, the frontal, parietal, and occipital, and usually closely united in the adult. [1913 Webster]

2. The head or brain; the seat of intelligence; mind. [1913 Webster]

Skulls that can not teach, and will not learn. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

3. A covering for the head; a skullcap. [Obs. & R.] [1913 Webster]

Let me put on my skull first. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]

4. A sort of oar. See {Scull}. [1913 Webster]

{Skull and crossbones}, a symbol of death. See {Crossbones}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Skull and crossbones — is a symbol consisting of a human skull and two long bones crossed together under the skull. It is used in several contexts: Skull and crossbones (poison), the use of the symbol as a warning of danger (usually in regard to poisonous substances)… …   Wikipedia

  • skull and crossbones — n [singular] 1.) a picture of a human skull with two bones crossed below it, used in past times on the flags of ↑pirate ships 2.) a picture of a human skull with two bones crossed below it, used on containers to show that what is inside is poison …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • skull and crossbones — ► skull and crossbones a representation of a skull with two thigh bones crossed below it as an emblem of piracy or death. Main Entry: ↑skull …   English terms dictionary

  • skull and crossbones — n. a human skull facing forward with two long bones crossed beneath it, as formerly pictured on pirates flags: now used as a warning sign, as on poisons …   English World dictionary

  • skull and crossbones — noun emblem warning of danger or death • Hypernyms: ↑emblem • Part Holonyms: ↑black flag, ↑pirate flag, ↑Jolly Roger, ↑blackjack * * * noun (plural skulls …   Useful english dictionary

  • skull and crossbones — N SING A skull and crossbones is a picture of a human skull above a pair of crossed bones which warns of death or danger. It used to appear on the flags of pirate ships and is now sometimes found on containers holding poisonous substances. Skull… …   English dictionary

  • skull-and-crossbones — A particularly dreadful client or person with whom you no longer want to do business or have contact. When he refused to pay me for my work, he became a skull and crossbones file …   Dictionary of american slang

  • skull-and-crossbones — A particularly dreadful client or person with whom you no longer want to do business or have contact. When he refused to pay me for my work, he became a skull and crossbones file …   Dictionary of american slang

  • skull and crossbones — skull′ and cross′bones n. pl. skulls and crossbones. a representation of a front view of a human skull above two crossed bones, orig. used on pirates flags and now used as a warning sign, as in identifying poisons • Etymology: 1820–30 …   From formal English to slang

  • skull and crossbones — skull and cross|bones [ ,skʌl ən krɔs,bounz ] noun singular a picture of two crossed bones under a skull. It was used in the past on ships belonging to PIRATES (=sailors that attacked and stole from other ships) and is now used for warning of… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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