I. ˈski-nē adjective
( skin·ni·er ; -est )
Date: 1573
1. : resembling skin : membranous
2.
a. : lacking sufficient flesh : very thin : emaciated
b. : lacking usual or desirable bulk, quantity, qualities, or significance
Synonyms: see lean
• skin·ni·ness noun
II. noun
Etymology: perhaps from skin (I) + -y (IV)
Date: 1938
slang : inside information : dope
the straight skinny on what's going on — John Geary